MIDDLE EAST CROSSING THE RUBICON INTO EUROPE’S ENERGY POLICY. SECURITY AND SUPPLY IMPLICATIONS OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

2021 and 2022 were not easy years for Europe considering the recovery plans designed to ease the Covid 19 pandemic effects on the economy and the “enemy at the gates” momentum translated into the illegal war started by Russia in Ukraine. 24th of February 2022, will be for the European energy sector what 9/11 was for world security. Without thinking that with the passing of the 2022-2023 winter, the energy supply problems have evaporated, how we will tackle this issue in 2023 is critical for the European continent, as it will unveil how ready we are to find alternatives to the Russian supply and combine energetic autonomy with price affordability while not forgetting about the climate goals. How viable is the collaboration with the Middle East and how quickly will they be able to supply at least part of the European gas needs?