FX.co ★ EU warns against expecting quick resolution to fuel crisis

On April 9, 2026, European Commission representative Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that a swift resolution to the ongoing fuel crisis is an illusion. According to TASS, the agency is urging preparation for an extended period of high volatility in energy markets. The primary factor contributing to this instability remains the EU's reliance on supplies through critical maritime routes in the Middle East, the security of which is under threat.

Statistics from the European Commission indicate that approximately 40% of the region's imported aviation fuel comes through the Strait of Hormuz. The navigational crisis in this area poses a direct threat to the stable operation of the transportation sector in member countries. Moreover, the operational diversification of logistics requires significant time investments and a fundamental overhaul of existing foreign trade relationships.

Dependence on the Strait persists in other categories of hydrocarbons as well. Liquefied natural gas accounts for 8.5% of supplies along this route, while another 7% of imported oil also relies on the safe passage of vessels through the Persian Gulf. The current geopolitical landscape and limited options for alternative routes hinder a rapid decrease in fuel prices in the European market.

The European Commission also confirmed difficulties in establishing specific timelines for a complete abandonment of Russian resources. This includes halting purchases not only of oil and gas but also of nuclear fuel for power plants. As a result, the publication of a plan to ban imports of Russian oil has been officially delayed. The discussion on this matter, initially scheduled for April 15, has been postponed indefinitely by the union's leadership.