The debate over Europe’s energy future has taken a decisive turn. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has emerged as a leading voice against resuming Russian gas imports to Western Europe, even if peace returns to Ukraine.
The discussion comes at a critical time for European energy policy. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe has dramatically reduced its dependence on Russian gas. The Nord Stream pipelines, once crucial for Russian gas exports to Europe, have been inactive since 2022. Nord Stream 1 was shut down following the invasion, while Nord Stream 2 never became operational. Both pipelines later suffered severe damage from explosions.
Speaking to the BBC, President Duda called for the complete dismantling of these pipelines. His proposal aims to prevent Russia from regaining influence over European energy supplies. He expressed particular concern about countries like Germany, which might be tempted to restore Russian gas imports to boost their struggling economies.
“I can only hope that European leaders will learn from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” Duda said. He emphasized that maintaining independence from Russian energy is crucial for Europe’s security.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Duda reinforced his position. He praised the effectiveness of economic sanctions against Russia and urged European nations to resist corporate pressure to resume business with Moscow. This stance comes as some political groups, including Germany’s far-right AfD party, advocate for reopening the pipelines. The debate has gained particular significance with Germany’s upcoming federal elections in February.
Duda outlined several reasons for dismantling the Nord Stream infrastructure. “This pipeline presents a significant threat to Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and other Central European nations,” he explained. He warned that the pipelines pose multiple risks: energy dependency, military vulnerability, and economic manipulation. Restoring these gas lines, he argued, would give Russia dangerous leverage over Europe’s economy.
The Polish president drew from his country’s historical experience to strengthen his argument. He referenced Poland’s exclusion from crucial post-World War II negotiations, including the Yalta Conference. “I am speaking as the president of a country that, in the past, was left out of pivotal discussions,” Duda said. “As a result, Poland found itself under Soviet influence for nearly five decades.”
This historical perspective shapes Poland’s current approach to peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Duda insists that Ukraine must be fully involved in any peace talks. His stance reflects Poland’s commitment to protecting both Ukrainian sovereignty and regional security interests.
The energy crisis following the pipeline shutdowns has led to surging gas prices across Europe. However, Duda maintains that this short-term economic challenge is preferable to long-term Russian influence over European energy markets.