In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in

2022, the European Union (EU) has found itself

at a critical juncture in redefining both its energy

security and foreign policy. The drastic

reduction in Russian gas imports from 41% in

August 2021 to a mere 8% by September 2022

underscores this pivotal shift in material terms.

However, the EU has also carved out

REPowerEU, an ambitious, all-in approach that

aligns its energy security firmly within the remit

of its foreign and security policy. Is the EU still

in the foothills of navigating the complexities of

today’s European energy landscape, or is it

attempting an innovative form of ‘multi-level’

foreign policy? To explore the consequences of

these developments, this briefing paper delves into the

multifaceted strategies employed by the EU.