---
title: "The European Union Faces the Challenge of Strategic Autonomy"
description: "The European Union is implementing a comprehensive strategy of self-determination and security enhancement amid geopolitical shocks, energy crises, and defense realignment."
date: 2026-09-27T09:27:20.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/the-european-union-faces-the-challenge-of-strategic-autonomy
tags: [strategic-autonomy, european-union, readiness-2030, geopolitics, energy-crisis]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# The European Union Faces the Challenge of Strategic Autonomy

![European Union flag and buildings in Brussels](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/27/evropeyskiy-soyuz-stalkivaetsya-s-problemoy-strategicheskoy-avtonomii/evropeyskiy-soyuz-stalkivaetsya-s-problemoy-strategicheskoy-avtonomii-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The EU is shifting towards strategic autonomy due to global shocks.
- The Readiness 2030 defense plan mobilizes around 800 billion euros.
- Russian gas share in EU imports dropped from 45% in 2021 to 12% by 2025.

Recent geopolitical, energy, and logistical changes are placing increasing pressure on the European Union (EU). Against this backdrop, the EU is entering a period of deep strategic realignment aimed at ensuring greater self-determination and initiative in an increasingly unpredictable world.

For decades, Europe benefited immensely from a relatively stable international environment. Open trade provided businesses with access to global markets and raw materials, while energy could be procured from external suppliers at competitive prices. In security matters, European nations could rely on NATO and the military might of the United States.

### Defense Realignment and the Readiness 2030 Plan

The defense sector best demonstrates this shift. The EU is implementing the European Defense Readiness Plan up to 2030 (Readiness 2030), aimed at mobilizing approximately 800 billion euros for defense. Of this amount, the Security for Europe (SAFE) program provides member states with up to 150 billion euros in loans for investments in priority capabilities.

Noteworthy is the scale of funding and the EU's ambition to turn defense investments into a driving force for developing Europe's own manufacturing capabilities, emphasizing joint procurement and standardization.

### Energy Sector and New Supply Chains

A similar dynamic is observed in the energy sector. The gas crisis following Russia's military campaign in Ukraine served as a stark reminder that trade relations can quickly turn into security issues. From roughly 45% of total gas imports in 2021, the share of Russian gas in EU imports dropped to 12% by 2025.

### Contradictory Data

Despite the drive for independence, serious debates persist regarding the potential replacement of old dependencies with new ones. By 2025, Norway supplies about 31% of EU gas imports, the USA 26%, prompting warnings from experts about avoiding new monopolies in critical raw materials.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Европейский союз сталкивается с проблемой стратегической автономии:](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/lien-minh-chau-au-truoc-bai-toan-tu-chu-chien-luoc) - Основной источник аналитических данных по стратегической автономии ЕС и сырьевой политике.
- ["F-35 или стратегическая автономия": может ли Европа отказаться от американского оружия и чем ...](https://www.mk.ru/politics/2026/02/08/f35-ili-strategicheskaya-avtonomiya-mozhet-li-evropa-otkazatsya-ot-amerikanskogo-oruzhiya-i-chem-otvetit-rossii.html) - Контекстные данные по оборонным инициативам и выбору Европы между американским вооружением и автономией.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is the Readiness 2030 plan?
**A:** It is the European Defense Readiness Plan up to 2030 aimed at mobilizing approximately 800 billion euros for defense capabilities.