“THE GREAT SCARCITY”: Russia Warns of Most Severe Energy Crisis in Human History
MOSCOW / ISTANBUL — Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s presidential envoy for international economic cooperation and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), issued a chilling warning on Thursday, March 26, 2026, stating that the world is on the precipice of the “most severe energy crisis in human history.” Speaking on the sidelines of a high-level economic summit, Dmitriev argued that the combined impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure and Western sanctions on Russia has created a “tsunami of energy shock” that will lead to the “economic collapse” of the European Union.
Dmitriev’s remarks follow his recent unannounced meetings with U.S. officials in Florida, where he reportedly warned that global stability is “impossible” without the systemic inclusion of Russian oil and gas.
The “Three-Trillion-Dollar” Collapse
Dmitriev provided a data-driven breakdown of the projected losses for the European Union, which he claims is facing “permanent deindustrialization.”
- The $3.48 Trillion Price Tag: Dmitriev stated that the EU’s total losses from energy restrictions and the shift away from Russian gas could exceed $3.48 trillion (€3 trillion) by the end of 2026.
- Per-Citizen Cost: According to RDIF analysis, the crisis has already cost the average EU citizen roughly $7,725 (€6,660) in lost purchasing power and surging utility costs.
- The “Backfire” Effect: He characterized the EU’s decision to ban Russian LNG (set for April 25) as a “strategic blunder” that has already backfired, noting that gas prices have risen by 100% since the Iran conflict began on February 28.
Russia as the “Safe Haven” for Commodities
As the Middle East war disables 20–25% of the world’s LNG capacity, Dmitriev positioned Russia as the only nation prepared for a prolonged period of “extreme scarcity.”
| Strategic Asset | Current Market Status (March 27, 2026) | Russia’s Leverage |
| Urals Crude | Surged 80% to $104–$120 per barrel. | Russia is raking in an additional $150M in surplus revenue per day. |
| Fertilizers | Prices spiking due to Hormuz blockade. | Russia has suspended ammonium nitrate exports to “protect domestic supply.” |
| LNG Supply | Global market losing 1.5M tons per week. | Moscow is seeing a “sharp increase” in demand from China, India, and Vietnam. |
The “Florida Channel”: A Failed De-escalation?
Reports from Dawn and Reuters confirmed that Dmitriev recently met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss “market stability.”
- The “Obvious Reality”: Dmitriev claimed that Washington is beginning to understand that the global energy market cannot remain stable without Russian oil, citing the U.S. Treasury’s recent 30-day sanctions waiver for Indian purchases of Russian crude at sea.
- The “Ukrainian Factor”: In a separate statement on X, Dmitriev accused the Ukrainian leadership of “desperately trying to exacerbate the crisis” by launching drone strikes on the Russian port of Ust-Luga, further tightening the global supply squeeze.
- The “Hormuz Deadlock”: He noted that with 20 million barrels per day trapped in the Gulf, the U.S. is “negotiating with itself” if it thinks it can replace those volumes without fully rehabilitating energy ties with Moscow.
What’s Next?
Dmitriev’s warning of a “tsunami” arrives just as the Friday sunrise deadline passes. With the International Energy Agency (IEA) now describing the situation as the “greatest energy and food security challenge in history,” the next 48 hours will be critical. If the U.S. proceeds with the “Total Infrastructure Phase” of Operation Epic Fury, analysts expect oil to breach $150 per barrel, potentially triggering the global “economic contagion” President Putin warned of earlier today.