At the start of this century the EU tried to launch several clean energy projects in its Southern Neighbourhood. However, towards Algeria these remained rather absent, focusing on its fossil fuel industry. The European Green Deal brought change by including fossil fuel suppliers such as Algeria in the green transition narrative. The Joint Communication: ‘Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood’ focuses on a just green transition and the Council Conclusions on ‘Climate and Energy Diplomacy - Delivering on the external dimension of the European Green Deal’ calls for the phasing out of harmful fossil fuel subsidies and to stop further investments into fossil fuel based energy infrastructure projects in third countries. However, although with the Green Deal it seems that the EU entered a new path, this has been soon reversed following the invasion in Ukraine. The invasion profoundly changed the political and economic landscape of the EU’s short term efforts on an energy transition. As a result also the EU changed its energy policy priorities, including towards Algeria. This shift could have a crucial impact on Algeria’s energy future causing a carbon-lock in for the crucial years to come.