The European Commission has proposed a plan to completely stop importing Russian natural gas by the end of 2027, part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on Russian energy sources.
It is planned to terminate all existing contracts for pipeline and liquefied gas from Russia, as well as ban new agreements with Russian suppliers. Spot contracts will be banned by the end of 2025.
The plan also includes a gradual reduction in imports of Russian oil and nuclear fuel. New legislation is expected in June, and all proposals must be approved by the European Parliament and member states.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the measures as self-punishment. "Europe is shooting itself in the foot. They are narrowing the competitive environment, favoring more expensive goods from the United States and other countries. We can only hope that future European politicians will assess the situation more soberly, "he told Reuters.
The roadmap acknowledges that a complete phasing out of Russian nuclear fuel is a medium-term task. It proposes imposing new taxes on Russian enriched uranium, limiting new contracts and expanding domestic production. According to European Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, this will make imports "less economically justified."
Currently, Russian gas accounts for about 19% of EU imports, mainly through the "Turkish Stream" to Hungary and Slovakia, as well as in the form of liquefied gas. LNG imports from Russia are set to increase again in 2024, after a decline since the start of the war in Ukraine. In comparison, in 2021 45% of the EU's gas came from Russia.
"We will not allow our countries to be blackmailed or to fill the Kremlin's military coffers," said Jorgensen. According to him, even if peace were possible in Ukraine, energy dependence on Russia remains a risk.