The Council of the European Union announced today that it has approved its negotiating position on the proposal to end Russian gas supplies, BTA reports.
The measure aims to reduce dependence on Russian energy after Moscow uses gas supplies as a tool, having a serious impact on the European energy market, the statement said.
A phased and legally binding ban on gas imports from Russia is envisaged. Member states agreed that the ban should be complete from January 1, 2028, but insist that imports be limited from January 1 next year, with a transitional period for already concluded contracts. Short-term contracts signed before 17 June 2025 can be implemented until 17 June next year, while long-term ones will be valid until 1 January 2028.
Changes to existing contracts will be allowed only for strictly defined operational purposes and will not be able to increase volumes, with few exceptions for landlocked countries. Imports of Russian gas will be subject to prior authorisation.
Member states will have to submit national plans for diversifying energy supplies unless they no longer import Russian gas. The same applies to imports of Russian oil, with the aim of completely ceasing them by 1 January 2028.
In recent years, imports of Russian gas and oil into the EU have decreased significantly - for oil it is below 3%, and for gas it is around 13% this year. The annual value of Russian energy imports into the EU exceeds €15 billion. In May and June, the European Commission proposed a phase-out of remaining Russian energy imports.
The next step is negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposed measures, which are considered outside the sanctions against Russia and were adopted without unanimity.