The EU pays Russia billions for gas, oil and nuclear fuel.

Omissions

• The claim omits that EU payments for Russian energy have declined dramatically - from approximately €140 billion in 2022 to €21.6 billion in 2024, an 85% reduction. The share of Russian gas in EU imports dropped from 45% in 2022 to 12% in 2025. The claim also does not specify the time period being referenced. Nuclear fuel imports accounted for approximately €700 million (about 3%) of total €22 billion Russian energy imports in 2024.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission - REPowerEUEU reduced share of Russian gas imports from 45% in 2022 to 12% in 2025. In 2025, EU still imported 36 billion cubic meters of Russian gas, 9.7 million tonnes of crude oil and almost 2,900 tonnes of nuclear fuel.
• SecondaryBruegelIn 2024, the EU imported a little over €700 million in Russian uranium products out of a total of €22 billion Russian energy imports.
• SecondaryEU NewsIn 2024, the European Union contributed 21.6 billion euros in direct payments to Russia in energy purchases, an 85% drop from 2022, according to Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
• SecondaryThe GuardianEurope estimated to have bought €22bn of fossil fuels from Russia in 2024 but gave €19bn to support Kyiv.