The green great game: Crafting an EU-Central Asia energy alliance
With the difficult post-Soviet years behind it, Central Asia is becoming more integrated and actively seeking partnerships beyond Russia and China
Experts & Staff
Szymon Kardaś
Senior Policy Fellow
Areas of expertise
EU’s energy and climate policy; Russia’s energy policy; Russia’s internal politics and foreign policy; international relations in Central and Eastern Europe
Languages
Polish, English, Russian
Biography
Szymon Kardaś is a senior policy fellow on energy within the European Power programme, based in ECFR’s Warsaw Office. His analysis will be focused on geopolitics of Europe’s new energy environment.
Between September 2012 and December 2022, Kardaś held the position of senior policy fellow at the Russian Department of the Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw (Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich – OSW). He is a graduate of the Institute of International Relations, Faculty of Journalism and Political Science, University of Warsaw and the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw. Kardaś gained his PhD in Political Science in April 2010 and is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw since 2010.
Energy reckoning: How Europe can use US sanctions to cut Moscow’s oil ties
The EU has a strategic opening to align with US sanctions on Rosneft and LUKoil. It must compel divestment from European assets and close loopholes that enable Moscow to circumvent restrictions
Lights out: Why Iberia’s power cut is a warning for EU energy security
In April, millions of people across Spain and Portugal were left without power—some for almost a day. The EU must now address weaknesses in its energy infrastructure to ensure the lights stay on
Synch and swim: How escaping Russia’s electricity grid can strengthen Baltic energy security
The synchronisation of the Baltic states with EU electricity networks will enhance their energy security in the face of Russian threats—but further investment is needed
Breaking free: Why ending Russian gas transit via Ukraine strengthens EU energy security
Ukraine’s suspension of Russian gas transit through its territory is not a threat to EU energy security. However, the bloc’s member states should continue working towards their goal of becoming independent of fossil fuel supplies—including gas—from Russia by 2027
Empowering Poland: The role of international partnerships
To effectively transition to a low-carbon economy while bolstering energy security and economic stability, Poland is betting on cooperation with international partners
Energy Sovereignty Index: Gains, gaps, and the road ahead
ECFR’s 2024 Energy Sovereignty Index shows both progress and persistent pitfalls on the EU’s path to energy independence, efficiency, and cleanness. While gains in renewable energy and efficiency are notable, the bloc’s heavy reliance on energy imports is a critical vulnerability
Power to the people: How the EU’s energy transition can help fight the “greenlash”
The EU’s energy transition is a pragmatic political choice – one that can even help the new European Commission and member state governments fight the “greenlash”
From crisis to climate: Europe’s energy diplomacy after two years of war in Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU and its member states have intensified their energy diplomacy, moving away from Russian supplies and towards more secure – and greener – alternatives. But to do so efficiently, greater coordination at the EU-level is needed
Energising eastern Europe: How the EU can enhance energy sovereignty through cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova
Over the past two years, the EU has helped Ukraine and Moldova to diversify away from Russian fossil fuels. This has significantly strengthened their energy sovereignty – but improving the efficiency and cleanness of their energy sectors would bring further mutual benefits
Publications
The green great game: Crafting an EU-Central Asia energy alliance
With the difficult post-Soviet years behind it, Central Asia is becoming more integrated and actively seeking partnerships beyond Russia and China
Empowering Poland: The role of international partnerships
To effectively transition to a low-carbon economy while bolstering energy security and economic stability, Poland is betting on cooperation with international partners
Power to the people: How the EU’s energy transition can help fight the “greenlash”
The EU’s energy transition is a pragmatic political choice – one that can even help the new European Commission and member state governments fight the “greenlash”
Energising eastern Europe: How the EU can enhance energy sovereignty through cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova
Over the past two years, the EU has helped Ukraine and Moldova to diversify away from Russian fossil fuels. This has significantly strengthened their energy sovereignty – but improving the efficiency and cleanness of their energy sectors would bring further mutual benefits
From coal to consensus: Poland’s energy transition and its European future
Poland has the potential for an ambitious energy transition – which it should treat comparably to its accession to the EU and NATO
Keeping the lights on: The EU’s energy relationships since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The EU’s ‘friends in need’ have supported it through the energy crisis. The bloc must now balance buying more gas with helping supplier states develop clean energy
Articles
Energy reckoning: How Europe can use US sanctions to cut Moscow’s oil ties
The EU has a strategic opening to align with US sanctions on Rosneft and LUKoil. It must compel divestment from European assets and close loopholes that enable Moscow to circumvent restrictions
Lights out: Why Iberia’s power cut is a warning for EU energy security
In April, millions of people across Spain and Portugal were left without power—some for almost a day. The EU must now address weaknesses in its energy infrastructure to ensure the lights stay on
Synch and swim: How escaping Russia’s electricity grid can strengthen Baltic energy security
The synchronisation of the Baltic states with EU electricity networks will enhance their energy security in the face of Russian threats—but further investment is needed
Breaking free: Why ending Russian gas transit via Ukraine strengthens EU energy security
Ukraine’s suspension of Russian gas transit through its territory is not a threat to EU energy security. However, the bloc’s member states should continue working towards their goal of becoming independent of fossil fuel supplies—including gas—from Russia by 2027
From crisis to climate: Europe’s energy diplomacy after two years of war in Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU and its member states have intensified their energy diplomacy, moving away from Russian supplies and towards more secure – and greener – alternatives. But to do so efficiently, greater coordination at the EU-level is needed
Getting on track: New ways to deliver Poland’s energy ambitions
The new government in Warsaw is committed to pursuing a more ambitious energy and climate policy than its Law and Justice predecessors. There are several ways it can position itself to deliver on its goals and work closely with EU partners
Gridlock: Why Europe’s electricity infrastructure is holding back the green transition
Europe urgently needs to expand and modernise its outdated electricity grid if the European Union is to achieve its renewable energy goals
Own goal: How Russia’s gas war has backfired
When Russia drastically reduced gas supplies to Europe in 2022, European countries scrambled to find new suppliers. Paradoxically, the biggest victim of the Kremlin’s gas war seems to be Russia itself
A nuclear energy truce: Why EU states should stop bickering and build renewables
Passions on either side of the decades-long nuclear debate could slow the EU’s efforts to decarbonise its energy mix. Member states should respect one another’s positions and focus on building renewables as quickly as possible
Conscious uncoupling: Europeans’ Russian gas challenge in 2023
Europeans made remarkable progress in removing Russian gas from their energy mix in 2022. But 2023 brings with it a whole host of new challenges
Specials
Energy Sovereignty Index: Gains, gaps, and the road ahead
ECFR’s 2024 Energy Sovereignty Index shows both progress and persistent pitfalls on the EU’s path to energy independence, efficiency, and cleanness. While gains in renewable energy and efficiency are notable, the bloc’s heavy reliance on energy imports is a critical vulnerability
Energy Sovereignty Index
ECFR presents an innovative new way to assess the energy sovereignty of EU member states in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
EU Energy Deals Tracker
The energy deals the EU and its member states are now making with third countries will shape Europeans’ ability to protect their energy security in the long term. The EU Energy Deals Tracker provides a comprehensive overview of these agreements, including their implications for the sustainable transition
Events
European Power
Powering the future: Charting Europe’s climate and energy sovereignty
Referring to it as “our answer to the call of history”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the achievements of the European Green Deal (EGD) in her recent State of the Union address. Yet, recognising that much work remains to be done, she urged Europeans to “stay the course” and to “stay ambitious”
In the media
Szymon Kardaś on US sanctions on Russian oil
Szymon Kardaś on the European Council meeting on October 23
Szymon Kardaś on US sanctions against Russian oil companies
Szymon Kardaś on the EU-US trade deal
Szymon Kardaś Russia-USA relations