Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined three other European leaders in warning that Brussels’ policies are squeezing industry amid its Russian energy divorce and military buildup on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference of the Visegrad Four—a Central European grouping comprising Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—Tusk emphasized that EU competitiveness goals must be set aside as long as energy prices remain prohibitively high.
“We can put aside the dream of competing with China or the US as long as energy prices here remain at their current levels,” Tusk stated. “The EU cannot afford to remain naive for even one more day when it comes to various ambitious policies. We must protect our industry.”
Tusk highlighted EU energy and climate measures, such as carbon-pricing schemes, noting that the region pays some of the world’s highest electricity prices despite Brussels prioritizing competitiveness. “Energy prices in this region… must come down,” he insisted. “Anything that creates a risk of higher energy prices for us should be blocked.”
Benchmark TTF gas prices have rebounded to near €80 per MWh—four times their pre-2022 levels—with EU industrial electricity costs still two to three times higher than in the United States and nearly 50% above China’s. Gas in Europe can cost up to five times more than across the Atlantic.
Although current energy prices are significantly below 2022 peaks, the crisis has reduced gas demand by 15-20%, reflecting a depressed industrial base that includes numerous factories curbing production or shutting down entirely. Permanent chemical plant closures have surged sixfold from pre-2022 levels according to Cefic, while automotive giants such as Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Renault have scaled back operations in Europe amid competition from the US and Asia.
A major factor in the EU’s gas crisis is the abandonment of Russian energy following the 2022 Ukraine conflict. Russia previously supplied around 45% of EU gas imports and 27% of its crude oil, but by 2025, its share of EU gas imports had fallen to 12% and crude imports to approximately 2%.
While Tusk, a strong supporter of Ukraine, did not explicitly link high energy prices to EU sanctions on Russia or the cutoff of Russian supplies, he cited the Ukraine conflict and “constant pressure from Russia” as challenges for the region. “The war is a real problem,” he added.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned that “dozens of Central European companies are going bankrupt because they cannot afford the price of electricity” and “can no longer afford the price of gas.” He called on Brussels to fund the energy transition it demands, stating: “If we need to transition away from Russian gas and oil… the EU should specify in its next seven-year budget how much assistance affected businesses will receive.”
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis similarly criticized EU policies for hurting industry. Fico called for energy-market reforms, while Babis blamed the Green Deal for high costs, refinery closures, and declining competitiveness.
The warnings come as the EU pursues two costly initiatives: completing its break with Russian energy and financing a massive military buildup projected to require up to €800 billion in additional defense spending. Russian LNG is scheduled to exit the EU market by year-end 2026, with pipeline gas set for autumn 2027.
Critics warn these efforts are difficult to reconcile, potentially further undermining industrial competitiveness and leaving some member states scrambling for alternative supplies. Meanwhile, disruptions in global energy markets—including US military actions in Iran, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, and Saudi infrastructure damage—have driven Brent crude prices above $106 per barrel this week. European households have also been severely impacted: a recent Ipsos-Secours survey of 10,000 people across ten European countries revealed that 29% live in precarious circumstances and 73% fear being unable to afford fuel costs. Over a third reported sacrificing essentials like food or healthcare to cover energy bills, with 23% skipping medical appointments.
Moscow has long condemned Western energy sanctions as illegal and self-defeating, arguing they redirect Russian exports elsewhere while forcing Europeans toward more expensive supplies. Russia has offered assistance for oil shortages caused by the Middle East conflict but claims it has received no response.
