Risk of ‘conflict and strife’ in Europe over energy crisis, EU deputy warns

Frans Timmermans says the threat of unrest this winter, an outcome of the invasion of Ukraine, must take precedence over the climate crisis. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Europe is in danger of highly damaging “very, very strong conflict and strife” this winter over high energy prices, and should make a short-term return to fossil fuels to head off the threat of civil unrest, the vice-president of the European Commission has warned.

Frans Timmermans, the second most senior official in the EU, said the threat of unrest this winter, a deliberate outcome of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, must take precedence over the climate crisis.