How Its War on Ukraine Killed Russia’s Hydrogen Ambitions

Hydrogen, the fuel that can facilitate global decarbonization, is today mostly produced from natural gas. As the country with the world’s largest natural gas deposits, Russia has been exploring ways to adjust its energy sector to the needs of the emerging global hydrogen one—and thus to strengthen its status as an energy superpower. However, as a result of its invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, Russia has lost key political and economic partners in Europe and Asia, and it is facing the toughest sanctions in its history—all of which is likely to cripple its nascent hydrogen sector.

How will Russia’s war in Ukraine influence the development of the Russian and global hydrogen sectors? What role will this play in Europe’s decarbonization efforts and moves to build up its hydrogen industry? Will China be interested in Russia’s hydrogen to build up its own hydrogen sector? Who will dominate the global hydrogen landscape, and what is needed to maintain the global geopolitical balance in the energy sector? This event will discuss these key questions related to the sociopolitical and techno-economic consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine for its hydrogen ambitions, and the consequences for Europe, the transatlantic community, and the world.

If you have any questions, please contact Alevtina Snihir at asnihir@gmfus.org

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together