Today, the European Commission has put forward a legislative proposal aimed at gradually and systematically reducing the EU’s dependency on Russian natural gas and oil by the end of 2027.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, who introduced the proposal, highlighted that “importing natural gas from Russia threatens Europe’s security, which is why we propose a ban on such imports. This will bolster our energy independence and decrease the funds that Putin utilizes to finance his war.” He assured that “no member state will be left without energy because of this proposal” and pledged that the Commission would closely collaborate with all member states, particularly those that might face difficulties.
Ursula von der Leyen remarked that “Russia has frequently attempted to blackmail us by weaponizing its energy resources, and we are taking decisive steps to stop this and permanently end the reliance on Russian fossil fuels in Europe.”
Since the spring of 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has notably diminished its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Russian coal imports have been entirely banned, oil imports have plummeted from 27% to 3% currently, and natural gas imports from Russia have decreased from 45% in 2021 to 19% in 2024, with projections suggesting a further drop to 13% in 2025 when Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine ends. Nevertheless, in 2024, EU nations still spent €23 billion on Russian fossil fuels, a situation the Commission considers exposes the EU to considerable trade and energy security risks.
This regulatory proposal is grounded in the REPowerEU Plan, launched in May 2022 following the invasion, and is aligned with the “Roadmap” shared by the Commission a month ago, which outlines a complete separation from Russian fossil fuels (including crude oil and nuclear) and particularly from Russian natural gas (both pipeline and LNG) by 2027.
The proposed regulation mandates that member states submit national plans by the end of the year, detailing specific measures and timelines for phasing out imports of Russian natural gas and oil.
Notably, imports of Russian natural gas under new contracts will be prohibited starting January 1, 2026. Imports under existing short-term contracts will end by June 17, 2026, with the exception of those supporting landlocked countries linked to long-term contracts, which will be permitted until the end of 2027. Imports under long-term contracts will cease by the end of 2027. Additionally, long-term contracts for LNG terminal services involving customers from Russia or entities controlled by Russian firms will also be prohibited, allowing for the redirection of terminal capacity to alternative suppliers and ultimately strengthening energy market resilience.
Companies with contracts for Russian natural gas will be required to inform the Commission. Moreover, importers of Russian natural gas must provide customs authorities with all pertinent information tracing the gas from its actual origin to its point of entry into the Union.
This regulation must be approved by the European Parliament and the EU Council, with successful passage in the Council requiring a qualified majority. It is anticipated that Hungary and Slovakia, which still rely heavily on Russian energy, will oppose the proposal. (17/6/25)
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