Although the motor fuel is the key to the economic growth and their social well-being, in the EU its production sphere is built on imported crude hydrocarbons. In this study, an assessment of the fuel dependence of the EU is carried out and a decomposition analysis of the net import of crude hydrocarbons is conducted in order to identify those factors and shifts that could constitute support for the formation of the fuel independence. The basis of the study is the period of the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine of 2022–2023, which is correlated with the sanctions imposed on the aggressor state. The composite index of the fuel dependence of the EU is calculated and matrix positioning of the member states according to its components is carried out. It is determined that the EU fell into the trap of fuel dependence and the EU failed to replace Russian oil imports efficiently, which led to turbulence in oil refinery and stagnation of the motor fuel market. There were no significant qualitative shifts as to the change in fuel dependence during the analyzed period. The recovery of the EU’s fuel cycle will require an increase in crude hydrocarbon imports. It is proposed to change the approach to overcoming fuel dependence from the geographical diversification of crude hydrocarbon imports to the diversification of oil refinery sources.