EU Considers Easing Sanctions on Syria's Energy Industry Amid Energy Crisis

The European Union (EU) is currently negotiating a deal to ease sanctions on Syria’s energy sector, with potential implications for crude oil imports and energy technology exports. The move, which involves the suspension of key restrictions, aims to address Syria’s growing energy crisis while managing political sensitivities around the ongoing civil war and the country's relationship with terrorist factions.

According to an informal EU document, the EU is discussing the removal of the export ban on oil and gas technology, as well as lifting restrictions on infrastructure projects and financing. The sanctions, under EU Regulation 36/2012, have severely limited Syria’s ability to access key energy resources, including the transport of crude oil, technology for its oil and gas industry, and crucial insurance services for Syrian entities. The EU’s proposed shift could also include delisting certain groups, like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda, as terrorist organizations, although such decisions would require approval from the UN Security Council.

The Syrian energy crisis has deepened in recent months, particularly after Iraq halted crude oil deliveries to Syria in December 2024, cutting off approximately 120,000 barrels of crude daily. Alongside this, Syria's crude supply from Iran has ceased, leading to skyrocketing fuel prices and acute shortages, exacerbating the already difficult living conditions under the Assad regime.

As EU discussions unfold, some European countries are also considering lifting restrictions on Syrian airlines, including the Syrian Arab Airlines, to facilitate civilian air travel between Syria and Europe. These measures are part of a broader, more pragmatic approach to Syria’s energy and economic needs, while managing the geopolitical complexities of the ongoing civil conflict.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing its own energy challenges. After suffering significant damage to its energy infrastructure due to Russian missile attacks, Ukraine has turned to the European Union for natural gas imports. With domestic gas production from Naftogaz down by a third, Ukraine now imports about 1 billion cubic meters of gas. Despite these struggles, Naftogaz has reassured that it has sufficient reserves for the heating season, though it continues to collaborate with international partners to fortify Ukraine’s energy resilience amid the ongoing war with Russia.

In related developments, Naftogaz Group has raised its commercial gas output and is working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to secure funding for natural gas purchases and boost domestic production.

As the EU balances its approach to Syria's energy sector, it is clear that energy security remains a crucial concern not only for Syria but also for neighboring nations like Ukraine, where war has significantly disrupted energy supplies. The EU’s decisions will likely set the stage for a broader discussion on the geopolitical and humanitarian implications of energy sanctions and their potential lifting.