The European Court of Auditors has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the RePowerEU plan, a major initiative launched by the European Union to reduce its reliance on Russian energy sources. The plan, announced in May 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, aimed to free the 27 EU member states from dependence on Russian gas, oil, and coal by 2027. A total of 300 billion euros was allocated for this effort. However, the court found that the plan's goals have not yet been achieved, with member states failing to fully incorporate the EU's energy independence objectives into their national recovery strategies from 2022. As of now, less than 20% of the planned funding has been invested, leading the court to express disappointment over the lack of tangible progress. Despite the drop in the share of Russian gas in total European imports—from 49% to 14% in the past year—Europe still remains dependent on Russian energy. The court noted that some countries, like Hungary, have actually increased their purchases of Russian gas in 2024 compared to three years earlier. Other nations have turned to liquefied natural gas (LNG) to compensate for the decline in pipeline gas, which has been reduced as part of the effort to cut ties with Russia. The court emphasized that the overall decrease in Russian gas imports is largely due to milder winter conditions, not the success of the RePowerEU plan. The European Commission has responded to the court's findings, stating that the RePowerEU initiative has still contributed to accelerating numerous renewable energy projects. These projects are a key component of the EU’s broader strategy to achieve long-term energy independence. While the Commission acknowledges the challenges, it argues that the plan has laid the groundwork for the transition to cleaner energy sources. However, the court’s report highlights the need for more concrete action and better alignment between EU-level goals and national implementation.