DISINFO: EU is vilifying Putin to push its authoritarian green energy agenda
SUMMARY
In a 13 February 2024 speech on the EU's transition toward green energy sources, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that "Putin’s attempt to blackmail our union has utterly failed. On the contrary, he really pushed the green transition.” Von der Leyen was vilifying Putin to manipulate EU citizens into acceptance of a profitable system of greenwashed authoritarianism, which has caused energy prices to skyrocket.
RESPONSE
The claim advances a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative regarding the EU's energy policy and the supposed harm caused by the bloc's shift away from Russian fuel. This claim is a component of a broader strategy leading up to the European Parliament elections, aiming to incite discord and reinforce the idea that voters are being misled into endorsing policies detrimental to the general populace while benefiting political and business elites.
The assertion that Russia blackmailed the EU by threatening to shut off its gas supply over the invasion of Ukraine is correct. That ultimatum was only the latest in a series of instances whereby Moscow used its energy supplies in an attempt to win political and economic concessions, particularly regarding Ukraine.
Furthermore, Commission President von der Leyen's remarks do not imply that Moscow's predatory energy policies were the reason for implementing the EU's green energy agenda. In fact, EU legislation mandating a progressive shift toward renewable energy sources dates back to 2001, with an updated directive issued in 2009 and substantially revised in 2018.
The claim that switching to renewables drives energy prices up is also false. The International Energy Agency stated in June 2023:
"EU electricity consumers are expected to save an estimated EUR 100 billion during 2021-2023 thanks to additional electricity generation from newly installed solar PV and wind capacity. Low-cost new wind and solar PV installations have displaced an estimated 230 TWh of expensive fossil fuel generation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading to a reduction in wholesale electricity prices on all European markets. Without these capacity additions, the average wholesale price of electricity in the European Union in 2022 would have been 8% higher."
See related cases: Ursula von der Leyen blamed climate change on Russia; The 11th package of anti-Russian sanctions puts EU energy security at risk; The European carbon market agreement serves American interests; European plan to get rid of Russian gas dependency is madness.