Europe pays a advanced price for the mediate East conflict

The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated in the European Parliament that an additional EUR 3 billion in fossil fuel imports cost European taxpayers the first 10 days of the war in the mediate East. As she added, at this time gas prices rose by 50% and oil by 27%, while atomic and renewable energy prices remained unchanged. – We should au independent of fossil fuels. Whenever there is simply a war that we do not cause, we pay for it with higher fuel prices – This is Robert Biedron, associate of the European Parliament from the fresh Left.

The mediate East conflict, which began on 28 February 2026, results in difficulties in the transport of oil by the Ormuz Strait. The volume of exports of crude oil and refined products fell to little than 10% of the pre-conflict level, reported the global Energy Agency (IEA) on 11 March. This forces operators throughout the region to halt or importantly reduce production. Last year, an average of 20 million barrels of oil and oil products per day flowed through the Strait, accounting for about 25% of global oil trade by sea.

According to Agata Łoskot-Strachota of the Center for east Studies in the analysis of "Attacking Iran: challenges in the oil market", the Ormuz Strait is simply a key export way for six Gulf oil producers. Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United arabian Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar have about 55 percent of the world's natural material resources. These countries were liable in 2024 for around 30% of global oil production and about 35% of its exports. In addition, they are crucial producers and exporters of natural petrol, LPG, diesel, aviation fuel and another petroleum products.

"Europe one more time pays a advanced price for another conflict that it has not caused. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, or Israel with the United States, did so. They should be paying the price in the mediate East. However, the effects come to Europe sooner or later. They are already coming to Poland in the form of fuel prices or rising product prices – emphasizes Robert Biedron in an interview with Newseria.

Eurostat data show that in 2024 the main category of energy products imported into the European Union was oil and petroleum products, accounting for 67% of energy imports. The largest suppliers were the United States (16%), Norway (12%) and Kazakhstan (9%). Oil was besides imported from Saudi Arabia (8%), large Britain (6%) and Libya (6%). The EU's dependence on energy imports was 57% in 2024.

– Why should we contribute to fuel prices if we can be more independent in these matters, for example, in RES investments. The European Union should advance and support this autonomy and resilience, and in the end we will be little affected by specified crises. – emphasises the Euro MP of the fresh Left.

On March 17, this year, oil brent cost about 100 bucks per barrel, and oil crude – 92.5 dollars. Since 2 March they have increased by over 37%. This rapidly translated into fuel prices, despite the release of strategical oil reserves. According to the analysis of BM Reflex, within 2 weeks of the outbreak of the war, the price of diesel oil increased to an average level of PLN 7.64 per litre, and petrol 95b – to PLN 6.53 per litre.

– present we know who will definitely lose in the mediate East conflict. They will lose Europeans, they will lose Poles, they will benefit Netanyahu, who will break another political points and effort to keep power. Putin, who is pleased to be distracted from the crucial war in Ukraine, will benefit from this – justice Robert Biedron. – It is not just a substance of attention, it is besides a substance of limited resources. It is known that if there is simply a war, the European Union frequently pays the price again, for example by supporting the humanitarian victims of specified conflicts and later the improvement of individual regions. Budget's not rubber. Ukraine will one more time become a victim.

On 16 March, the European Commission announced that it would allocate EUR 458 million to humanitarian aid to countries affected by the mediate East war. We are talking about Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.

As the policy adds, further escalation of the conflict in the region threatens to weaken support for Ukraine for military equipment and ammunition.

– During the first 3 days of the Iran War, 800 Patriots were dropped. That's as much as in the 4 years of the war in Ukraine. You can't rapidly produce fresh ones, make up for ammunition, weapons. So Ukraine will bear this price again – considers the Euro MP. – Anyone who supports Trump and what is happening in Iran should think twice. Sooner or later, we will come to Europeans to pay the price for all this.

This situation besides works in favour of Russia. Similarly, the simplification of oil supply from the mediate East region can open up fresh prospects for Russian natural material.

– Of course, Putin is counting on fresh opportunities to be opened up by what is happening in Iran and the blockade of the Ormuz Strait, through which 20% of oil and gas exports pass. Only that China, which has good relations in the region, is already getting along with Iran and tankers carrying oil or gas to China are being passed through the Iranian regime. So Putin won't do a large deal on this China deal. – Robert Biedron evaluates.

According to Statista, citing Visual Capitalist data, China is the largest recipient of Iranian oil. In 2024, about 90 percent of oil exports from Iran went to them.

Iran is simply a serious opponent. This is simply a state that has tremendous possible not only for the population, economic, but besides military, military. Israel and the United States will gotta face him today. I don't say this conflict will end quickly. That's the guess of quite a few experts I perceive to. – emphasises the associate of the European Parliament from the fresh Left.