The European Commission and the European Parliament have agreed to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027, despite opposition from several EU member states. The plan aims to reduce the bloc’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels by ending short‑term contracts within six months and stopping all remaining pipeline and LNG supplies by the end of 2027. A ban on new gas‑transit deals with Russia will take effect on 1 January 2026, although existing agreements may continue.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the decision as a significant step toward Europe’s independence from Russian fossil fuels, saying it will make the continent more resilient. However, countries such as Hungary and Slovakia have criticized the plan, arguing it will raise energy costs and undermine their energy security. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó announced that Hungary cannot accept or implement the EU decision and intends to challenge it legally.
The Kremlin also weighed in, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning that the EU will become dependent on more expensive gas, further weakening the competitiveness of EU economies. Moscow claims that Western nations are harming their own economies by opting for costlier, less reliable alternatives. Since the EU began phasing out Russian oil and gas after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, energy prices have surged.
The phase‑out plan includes a suspension clause that allows temporary pauses if sudden events threaten energy supplies. Pipeline imports under long‑term contracts must end by 30 September 2027, with a possible short extension if storage levels require it. This decision is part of the EU’s broader effort to reduce reliance on Russian energy and enhance its energy security, and it is likely to have significant implications for the EU’s energy market and economy. The bloc now faces the challenge of navigating the transition to alternative energy sources.
Comments are closed for this story.