Deutsche Welle quotes Brent Scowcroft Resident Fellow Erik Brattberg on Europe’s dependence on Russian energy:
“I do think the current crisis in Ukraine illustrates the problem with European energy-dependency from Russia,” said Erik Brattberg of Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council. “A long-term solution must be to eventually move away from dependence from Russia towards more energy-security in Europe – whether that will come from US exports of natural gas or from somewhere else I think that remains to be seen.”
In any case, the crisis in Ukraine stresses the importance of transatlantic relations as well as the need for US-EU cooperation. “The long-term solution to the crisis must be a diplomatic one, and restoring relations with Russia,” Brattberg said, adding the EU needed to reconsider its neighborhood and enlargement policy.