Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine—and its recent decision to halt natural gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria—have provoked searching debates surrounding Europe’s energy dependence on Russia, economic and political vulnerabilities, European climate goals, and policy options to ensure secure and affordable access to energy. How quickly can Europe (and especially Germany) reduce existing energy imports from Russia and at what cost? To what extent can the United States help? How might Moscow respond to such efforts? These are only a few of the critical questions.


The Center for the National Interest and Energy Innovation Reform Project have convened a discussion with two leading experts on energy markets and policies to answer these questions.

Andreas Goldthau is Director of the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy and Franz Haniel Professor of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt. An expert on energy security and climate policy, he was previously a professor at Royal Holloway College, University of London, and Central European University’s School of Public Policy. Earlier, he was a Marie Curie Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School and also held appointments at the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins, RAND, and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Nikos Tsafos is James R. Schlesinger Chair for Energy and Geopolitics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he oversees projects on a wide range of issues related to the energy transition. Prior to joining CSIS, he advised companies and governments in over thirty countries. An expert on energy, climate policy, and geopolitics, he has testified before Congress and written widely in leading media.

Paul Saunders, President of Energy Innovation Reform Project and a member of the Center’s board of directors moderated the discussion.

Image: Reuters.