The escalating conflict in Western Asia has triggered severe volatility in global energy markets, exposing the fragility of Europe’s energy security. Speaking at a conference in Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the risks inherent in Europe’s over-reliance on imported energy.

In light of these challenges, President von der Leyen has called for a critical rethink of nuclear power as a reliable, clean energy source. She candidly remarked that the previous decisions to phase out nuclear power plants in Europe were a “strategic mistake.” Notably, in 1990, nuclear energy accounted for nearly one-third of the EU’s total electricity production, a figure that has since plummeted to approximately 15%. Following the Russia-Ukraine war and current heightened geopolitical tensions—including fears over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—the threat of an energy crisis has intensified. Emphasizing long-term stability, she asserted that Europe must embrace both renewable energy and the consistent reliability of nuclear power to secure its future energy landscape.