Sustainable Energy Policies of the European Union in the Context of Environmental Security After the Russia-Ukraine War
Keywords:
European Union, Russia-Ukraine war, energy policy, REPowerEU, environmental security, Green DealAbstract
This article explores the transformation of the European Union’s (EU) energy policies in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war within the context of environmental security. Historically dependent on fossil fuel imports from Russia, the EU has faced a critical disruption in its energy security since the outbreak of the conflict in 2022. In response, the EU has launched strategic frameworks such as REPowerEU, aiming to reduce reliance on Russian energy, accelerate the transition to renewable sources, and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This paper examines how the concepts of energy security and environmental sustainability have been redefined and increasingly integrated into the EU’s foreign policy agenda. Special attention is given to the interplay between REPowerEU and the European Green Deal, analyzing their complementarity and tensions. Furthermore, the article evaluates how the EU’s shift in energy diplomacy and diversification strategies contributes to the bloc’s strategic autonomy and ecological resilience. By applying the theoretical lens of environmental security and drawing from EU institutional documents, the study provides a multi-dimensional assessment of how the EU’s energy transformation is reshaping its geopolitical stance and ecological commitments. Ultimately, the article argues that the war has not only accelerated policy change but also prompted a long-term structural realignment in favor of sustainable energy governance.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mine Cebeci Alsaleh, Arzu Kihtir (Author)
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