The European Commission and European Parliament have agreed to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027, despite opposition from several EU member states. The plan, which aims to reduce the bloc’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, will see short-term contracts ended within six months and all remaining pipeline and LNG supplies stopped by the end of 2027. A ban on new gas transit deals with Russia will take effect on January 1, 2026, although existing agreements can continue.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the decision as a significant step towards Europe’s independence from Russian fossil fuels, stating that it will make the continent more resilient. However, several EU states, including Hungary and Slovakia, have criticized the plan, arguing that it will lead to higher energy costs and undermine their energy security. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that his country cannot accept or implement the EU’s decision and plans to challenge it legally.

The Kremlin has also weighed in on the decision, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning that the EU will become dependent on more expensive gas, which will further weaken the competitiveness of EU economies. The EU has already seen a surge in energy prices since it began phasing out Russian oil and gas following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Moscow claims that Western nations are harming their own economies by opting for more expensive and less reliable alternatives.

The phase-out plan includes a suspension clause that allows for temporary pauses if sudden events threaten energy supplies. Pipeline imports under long-term contracts must end by September 30, 2027, with a possible short extension if storage levels require it. The decision is part of the EU’s efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian energy and increase its energy security. The move is likely to have significant implications for the EU’s energy market and economy, and it remains to be seen how the bloc will navigate the challenges posed by the transition to alternative energy sources.