The Return of Russian Gas: A Lifeline or a Trap for Europe?

A few years ago, Europe made what looked like a clean break. After decades of dependence on Russian gas, the continent went cold turkey following the invasion of Ukraine, scrambling to replace its energy supplies with LNG from the U.S., pipeline gas from Norway, and an accelerated push toward renewables. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t cheap. But it was, in geopolitical terms, necessary.

Now, with peace talks reportedly gaining traction and some European nations quietly exploring a resumption of Russian gas imports, the question must be asked: Is history repeating itself? More specifically—if Europe reopens the door to Russian gas, does it risk walking straight back into the same trap?

The answer is complicated. Energy security is about diversification, not moral purity. But if Russian gas starts flowing westward again, the consequences for European energy markets—and by extension, the UK—could be profound.