The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal

Europe cuts addiction to Russian energy, yet fuel scramble continues

By Georgi Kantchev and Joe Wallace

03 Feb 2023 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

Europe has weaned itself off of Russian energy almost entirely in less than a year. But there remain big logistical challenges amid such a sweeping overhaul. The WSJ reports.

SCHWEDT, Germany—Europe’s dependence on Russian energy is drawing to a close, ending a decadeslong power imbalance and leaving the continent racing to squirrel away fuels and find alternative supplies.

The final act of separation: On Sunday, the European Union and the U.K. will bar imports of Russian fuels such as diesel and gasoline. The move follows a ban on Russian crude imports in December. Coal imports stopped last summer. Natural-gas flows from Siberia, once the lifeblood of European industry, have dwindled.

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