Diplomacy in the European Union’s Energy Sector in the Context of Dependence on Russian Energy Imports .......... 163

This paper analyses the EU’s dependence on Russian energy and its shift after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Before the war, Russia supplied about 30% of the EU’s energy, but the conflict spurred a push for diversification, led by the initiatives like REPowerEU. Member states responded differently: Poland accelerated independence, while Hungary maintained ties with Russia. At the same time, Russia redirected energy exports to China, India, and Turkey to counter Western sanctions. Energy became a key diplomatic tool for both sides, shaping foreign policy and security strategies. Poland’s case illustrates successful diversification efforts.