On March 24, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced that the European Union may deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz only after the conclusion of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. The statement followed a meeting between von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the conflict’s repercussions are already causing severe disruptions in global energy markets, with critical supply issues affecting allies worldwide. She highlighted rising oil and gas prices, which are adversely impacting businesses and consumers.
The European Commission head also stressed the urgency of achieving a diplomatic resolution through negotiations to address the crisis.
Additionally, von der Leyen stated on March 20 that EU countries could provide unlimited government assistance to energy consumers and advocate for reduced electricity taxes to counter cost surges linked to Middle East tensions. She characterized this measure as “temporary and targeted.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted on March 22 that Europe’s immediate priority is the cost of gas and electricity bills, adding that Europe still expects the Ukraine conflict to continue without a clear mechanism for payment.
On March 23, the European Commission urged EU nations to initiate gas injection preparations ahead of next winter due to the ongoing Iran-related crisis, stressing timely measures to ensure adequate storage levels.
