The European Union has announced a new legislative proposal aiming to end all remaining imports of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027. Presented on June 17 in Strasbourg, this plan is designed to break the bloc’s long-standing energy dependency on Russia, which EU officials state has been used for political and economic leverage.
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This move represents a significant step towards energy independence and is linked to the EU’s broader clean energy transition goals. It involves a phased withdrawal from Russian energy supplies over the next few years.
Background: Europe’s Reliance on Russian Energy
For years, the EU’s high reliance on Russian oil and gas created a vulnerability. Even after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, significant volumes of Russian fossil fuels continued to flow into the bloc.
In 2024 alone, the EU imported 52 billion cubic metres of Russian gas and 13 million tonnes of crude oil. These imports contributed billions to Russia’s economy.
The EU’s Plan to End Imports
The proposed legal framework outlines a gradual withdrawal from Kremlin-controlled energy sources. Key elements include:
- Gas Contracts: New contracts for Russian pipeline gas will be banned starting January 2026. Existing short- and long-term gas contracts are to be phased out over the following two years.
- LNG Imports: Terminal services for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies will also be prohibited from January 2026. Any long-term LNG terminal agreements signed before June 2025 must conclude by the end of 2028.
- Transparency: Importers will be required to disclose the origins of their gas, including contract details, supply routes, and partner identities, aiming to increase market transparency.
- Landlocked Countries: EU nations that are still heavily reliant on pipeline gas from Russia due to their geography will be given until the end of 2027 to transition to alternative sources.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discusses EU policy aimed at ending Russian fossil fuel imports.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the proposal as the final action in “ending the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe for good,” stating that “Russia has repeatedly attempted to blackmail us by weaponizing its energy supplies.”
EU Readiness and Market Outlook
The Commission believes the EU is prepared for this energy break. The assessment is based on several factors:
- New Infrastructure: Investment in new energy infrastructure across the bloc.
- Falling Demand: Projected decrease in the EU’s own energy demand due to efficiency measures and renewable energy growth.
- Global LNG Supply: A significant increase is expected in the global supply of LNG. Global LNG capacity is anticipated to grow by 200 billion cubic metres by 2028, which is five times the current volume the EU still imports from Russia.
Challenges and Political Dynamics
While the proposal has broad support, some member states remain cautious. Hungary and Slovakia, which are still heavily reliant on Russian energy, have expressed concerns about potential domestic economic impacts.
However, under EU voting rules, the legislation can be passed through majority voting. This requires approval from at least 15 countries representing 65% of the EU population. Despite potential efforts from hesitant states to dilute terms or drag out negotiations, the political momentum appears strong for the withdrawal plan.
Implementation and Safeguards
To ensure the plan stays on course, each EU Member State will need to submit a “diversification plan” by March 2026. These plans will detail how they intend to end their reliance on Russian energy and identify new energy sources.
The European Commission and the EU energy regulator ACER will closely monitor progress. They retain the ability to intervene if national plans are insufficient or if market risks arise.
The proposal includes safeguards allowing for temporary exemptions in cases of severe supply disruptions, serving as a safety net.
Long-Term Vision: Staying Clean
EU officials emphasize that the goal is a permanent shift away from Russian fossil fuels. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen stated on June 17 that even if peace in Ukraine were achieved soon, the EU would not resume importing Russian gas, calling it “a very unwise decision.”
He added that restarting imports would involve “refilling Putin’s war chest” and repeating past mistakes.
This energy policy shift is also aligned with the EU’s broader climate goals and industrial strategy, aiming to boost competitiveness by replacing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives and increasing energy resilience. The proposal marks a determined effort for the EU to break free from its dependency on Russian energy.
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