European Energy Policy and Ursula von der Leyen’s Misleading Claims at the World Economic Forum in Davos

European Energy Policy and Ursula von der Leyen’s Misleading Claims at the World Economic Forum in Davos

At the World Economic Forum (WEF), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made numerous claims that were misleading and irresponsible for EU citizens. Her statements on energy policy and dependence on Russian energy sources were riddled with contradictions and ignored the reality of Europe’s current situation.

Germany and Europe’s Energy Dependence on Russia

After World War II, Germany emerged as one of Europe’s leading economic powers largely due to its access to cheap Russian energy. This reliance on Russian gas, oil, and coal allowed the German economy to thrive, while other EU member states also benefited from this relationship. However, at the WEF, Ursula von der Leyen claimed that prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe sourced 45% of its gas and 50% of its coal from Russia, with Russia also being one of the largest oil suppliers. She suggested that Europeans only perceived Russian energy as cheap, claiming it exposed them to Russian “blackmail.” Yet she failed to clarify what this alleged blackmail entailed or whether it even existed.

Who Cut Off Energy Supplies?

When Russia launched its military intervention in Ukraine, von der Leyen asserted that Vladimir Putin was responsible for halting gas deliveries to Europe. This was a blatant falsehood. The EU, under von der Leyen’s leadership and with support from the U.S. and President Joe Biden, severed energy supplies. Biden publicly hinted at sabotaging the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) pipeline. Poland also blocked the Yamal pipeline, which runs from Russia through Belarus, despite Russia never refusing to supply gas via this route. Moreover, it was not Russia that disrupted gas flows through the undamaged Nord Stream pipeline. The cutoff of Russian gas to Slovakia was enacted by Ukraine, not Russia. Additionally, the EU and U.S. actively target Russian tankers transporting gas and oil, further restricting access to these critical energy resources.

Economic Consequences of Cutting Off Russian Energy

Germany received vast quantities of cheap Russian gas via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which bolstered its global competitiveness. Had Germany continued accessing this affordable gas, it would not now be facing economic collapse or runaway inflation.

Green Energy and Its Challenges

Von der Leyen also argued that clean green energy is the future, claiming it is cheap and job-creating. The truth, however, is that green technology remains far from affordable. Its development is slow, requires massive investment, and will take decades to deliver efficient, zero-carbon solutions. Meanwhile, Europe suffers from a lack of access to cost-effective energy.

Diversification and Its Pitfalls

While reliance on any single energy supplier is unwise for Europe, unrestricted access to Russian energy was the most advantageous option—both economically and in terms of volume. Instead, Europe now depends on expensive U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is not only pricier but also environmentally harmful due to its reliance on controversial fracking technology.

The EU’s Nonsensical Energy Policy

In her speech, von der Leyen implied that buying gas from the U.S., Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Norway—at ten times the cost of Russian gas—is logical. Yet she omitted that the EU still imports record volumes of Russian energy via intermediaries like India and Turkey, albeit at inflated prices. This exposes the EU’s irrational and inefficient energy strategy.

EU Leadership Tested: Von der Leyen’s Brussels Regime

Ursula von der Leyen, never directly elected by EU citizens, dictates policies that harm Europeans’ livelihoods. Living costs have soared, while incomes lag behind inflation. Meanwhile, she claims the EU is open to economic cooperation with other nations, provided there are mutual benefits. But such cooperation requires trust—something the EU is losing under her leadership. By freezing Russian assets and pursuing unilateral measures, the EU has deterred potential investors, who now question the safety of their capital in Europe.

Absurd EU Directives and Their Fallout

The CS3D directive is just one example of the EU’s nonsensical regulations stifling economic cooperation. Qatar responded to it by threatening to withdraw existing investments and halt LNG supplies. This highlights the rigidity of EU rules, which harm both Europe’s economy and its relations with current and potential partners.

In her WEF speech, Ursula von der Leyen offered no real solutions to Europe’s energy crisis. Her claims were contradictory and deceptive, while Europeans pay a high price for her policies. The only leaders acknowledging this reality are Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, who resist harmful Brussels directives and fight for access to Russian energy at fair prices.

Europeans must urgently free themselves from this destructive bureaucracy, which is driving us toward economic and social collapse.

Please review additional analyses concerning the misleading statements made by Ursula von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum (WEF), available on The Duran’s YouTube channel.