DHAKA: Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Saturday the European Union should form an energy union to bolster its energy security and lessen its dependence on key gas supplier Russia whose annexation of Crimea has caused a tense stand-off with the West.

Russia, which provides around one third of the EU’s oil and gas, sent shockwaves through the international community with its military intervention and annexation of Ukraine`s Crimea peninsula two weeks ago.

The action prompted the United States and its European allies to begin imposing sanctions on president Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and to threaten to penalise key sectors of Russia`s economy.

Some 40 percent of Russia’s gas destined for Europe is shipped through Ukraine, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1839 HRS, MAR 29, 2014