EU says no return to Russian gas, even after peace in Ukraine
EU says no return to Russian gas, even after peace in Ukraine (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The European Union does not plan to return to Russian gas even after peace is achieved in Ukraine. Brussels believes the Kremlin is not a trading partner to be trusted, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said, according to The Guardian.
EU officials recalled the occasions when Russia halted gas deliveries in 2006, 2009, and 2014, as well as the deliberate supply cuts in 2021 ahead of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which contributed to significant increases in energy prices and inflation across the continent.
"This is a ban that we introduce because Russia has weaponized energy against us, because Russia has blackmailed member states in the EU, and therefore they are not a trading partner that can be trusted," said EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.
According to Jørgensen, under the proposals, European companies would be prohibited from importing Russian gas or providing services to Russian clients at the EU’s liquefied natural gas terminals.
Moreover, he said that any contracts signed from today must be terminated by January 1, 2026, while companies with existing agreements will have until January 1, 2028, to do so.
Who opposed the exit from Russian gas
It emerged that the proposal met negative reactions from Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. However, it is believed these countries lack sufficient support to block the plan's adoption as EU law.
Jørgensen emphasized that the gradual phase-out of Russian fossil fuels is not a response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"That also means that, irrespectively of whether there is a peace or not – which we all hope there will be of course – this ban will still stand," he concluded.
EU moves away from Russian gas
On June 17, the European Commission officially unveiled a legislative proposal to gradually end imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the issue of Russian gas supplies has become a strategic priority for the EU. European countries have steadily reduced their dependence on Russian energy, phasing out its presence in the bloc's energy market.
According to Bloomberg, since the beginning of the war, EU member states have cut their purchases of Russian gas from over 40% of total imports to around 19%.
Back in April, the EU drafted a roadmap to ban Russian gas imports entirely by the end of 2027.
This roadmap obliges the EU to propose a ban on new contracts for Russian gas imports and short-term agreements by the end of this year.
