NATO members must accelerate investment in renewable and low-carbon energy to cut dependence on Russian oil and gas, a group of former senior military officers and defence experts has warned in a letter to EU leaders.
The group said the EU spent nearly €22 billion on Russian fossil fuel imports last year, more than the €19 billion it provided to Ukraine in financial aid. Since February, purchases of Russian gas have equalled about 75 percent of Russia’s 2023 military budget.
The letter said the EU is not moving fast enough to meet its pledge to end Russian oil and gas imports by 2027 and argued that reliance on fossil fuels, from Russia or any other supplier, exposes NATO states to security risks. The letter cited Russia’s strikes on large Ukrainian power stations, noting Ukraine’s widespread wind and solar infrastructure has proven harder to destroy.
Signatories include retired Lieutenant General Richard Nugee of the UK, retired General Tom Middendorp of the Netherlands and Sylvie Matelly of the Jacques Delors Institute.
From 2025 NATO members are committed to spending 5 percent of GDP on defence, including 1.5 percent for protecting infrastructure, reinforcing energy systems and boosting industrial capacity. The group said this should be used to drive clean-energy investment, arguing it would strengthen security while supporting economic and climate goals.
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