BRUSSELS — Belgium’s top energy official emphatically declared that any talks regarding the revival of energy relations with Russia are “illusory.” This statement comes as a response to increasing discussions across Europe about the potential resumption of energy imports from Moscow.
In an exclusive interview with POLITICO, Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet expressed skepticism about the prospect of returning to pre-war energy dealings with Russia, stating, “It is fanciful to believe that from one day to the next, we will return to business as usual with Russia, saying, ‘We are going to act as if nothing happened.’” He further elaborated, labeling the ongoing discourse as unrealistic, asserting, “This is an illusory debate.”
Belgium stands firm on energy policy
Bihet’s comments underline the stance of Belgium’s new government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, which shows no inclination to alter its approach toward Russian energy despite diplomatic efforts by the United States to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. While he affirmed Belgium’s commitment to phasing out imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), he refrained from endorsing an outright ban. “We are financing the war,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity to “turn off the taps.”
The minister’s remarks come amidst escalating discussions about re-establishing Europe’s access to Russian oil and gas supplies through pipelines. Recently, the Kremlin announced that it was in negotiations with Washington regarding the restoration of the disrupted Nord Stream gas pipelines. Moreover, officials from Germany’s center-right Christian Democrats hinted at the possibility of reactivating subsea links as they prepare to assume governmental responsibilities. Major energy firms and countries like Italy have also shown support for reviving imports.
Future of nuclear energy in Belgium
Despite external pressures, Bihet expressed his doubts about the feasibility of these discussions. He argued that resuming trade with Russia would complicate essential conversations surrounding peace, territorial integrity in Ukraine, and the overall intentions of the Kremlin.
Belgium remains one of the EU’s largest importers of Russian LNG, alongside France and Spain. Since January, the country has brought in approximately 1.1 million metric tons of LNG from Russia via the Zeebrugge port, as reported by Kpler commodities firm. Although the EU’s recent ban on the re-export of Russian LNG has taken effect, Brussels has yet to propose a comprehensive ban, despite calls from various factions within the EU.
Bihet indicated that he would only endorse a complete ban on Russian energy imports if Belgium can coordinate with its neighboring countries, echoing the previous government’s suggestions for a unified EU strategy to prevent Russia from redirecting its exports to other European ports.
As part of a broader strategy to reduce dependency on Russian energy, Bihet advocates for a significant increase in nuclear power. Identified as a fervent supporter of nuclear energy, he has been dubbed “Atomic Boy” by Belgian lawmakers. He is pushing for a reassessment of Belgium’s nuclear energy policy, which has historically been viewed with skepticism. “Five years ago, it was a curse word,” Bihet remarked, reflecting on the changing perceptions of nuclear power. He is now advocating for the extension of the lifespan of existing reactors and the potential construction of new ones.
Belgium has two operational nuclear power plants and has previously banned the construction of new reactors since 2003. Bihet aims to overturn this ban, contributing to a European initiative that seeks to boost nuclear power capacity by 50% by 2050 in response to heightened energy security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While Bihet’s vision for nuclear energy is ambitious, experts caution that rapidly expanding nuclear capacity may be challenging, especially as older plants are retired. He insists that further support from the EU is necessary, including reevaluating its longstanding reservations regarding financial assistance for nuclear projects.
As Europe grapples with its energy future, Bihet emphasized the need for a collective approach toward nuclear energy, urging Brussels to prioritize nuclear power in its industrial strategy to ensure sustainable and affordable energy for the continent.