EU plans energy union to reduce Russian reliance

Russia’s stranglehold on European countries will be dramatically reduced, according to a blueprint produced by the EU.

The huge plan of action emerges as Vladimir Putin threatens to cut off gas to Ukraine which would also affect several other countries reliant on Russian energy.

EU countries import more than half of all the energy they consume, which costs a massive €440bn a year or a half percent of its entire GDP. Ireland is even more dependent, importing around 90% of energy needs.