European Commission declines to confirm Novak's Russian energy import valuation

The European Commission declined to confirm Alexander Novak's estimate that EU imports of Russian energy had totalled $320.7 billion since 2022. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen emphasised declining dependence on Russia.

At the October 13 briefing, Itkonen said Russia's share of natural gas imports had fallen from a previous 45% to about 12%. She did not validate the Russian monetary figure. Declining to confirm it does not itself provide an alternative calculation of the imports' value.

Itkonen explained that some imports remain permitted because contract phase-out deadlines differ. She said the EU's goal is to end imports of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas by the end of 2027.

Novak had said the previous day that Russia's valuation exceeded the $250 billion cited by US President Donald Trump. Those figures concern the value of energy resources, while the 12% share describes gas imports. They are not the same measure.

The Commission links declining dependence to REPowerEU. Its statement reiterates the existing policy and responds to Russia's valuation, rather than announcing immediate termination of every supply contract.