Briefing

How Europe’s oil addiction funds the Russian military

October 1, 2018

Electric and hydrogen cars rely on renewable electricity that the EU can produce locally. But, instead, fossil-fuelled cars are driving Europe's addiction to oil. Crude oil and petroleum products represent around a third of the EU’s total energy consumption. The EU imports around 90% of the oil it needs and this share is expected to rise in the future. Two-thirds of the EU’s oil is used in transport.

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Around a third of the oil used in Europe is bought from Russia and this is forecast to rise in the next decade. Around 70% of Russia’s oil production is sold in Europe. Each time we fill our tanks, we are sending about €7 to Russia. This analysis details how rising oil demand in Europe has funded increases in Russian military expenditure over the last decade.