'Historic mistake': EU Commission head rules out return to Russian energy after war
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (Getty Images)
Resuming purchases of Russian fuel after the war is over would be a historic mistake for Europe. The EU warns that dependence on Russia is harmful to security, Euronews reports.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a tough statement in the European Parliament about the future of energy relations with Russia.
She categorically ruled out the possibility of returning to purchases of Russian fossil fuels after the war in Ukraine is over.
"To be very clear: the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end," she said from the stage of the parliament in Strasbourg.
According to her, resuming energy trade with Moscow would be "a mistake of historic dimensions."
This warning came amid speculation about a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine that could be promoted by the Donald Trump administration.
Brussels fears that Washington may offer to ease sanctions on the Russian energy sector as part of an agreement with the Kremlin.
Von der Leyen reminded that Russia has repeatedly used energy as a weapon. According to her, Russia's Vladimir Putin has already cut off gas supplies to Europe in 2006, 2009, 2014, 2021, and throughout the war.
She also responded to a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who had earlier hinted at a possible resumption of Nord Stream with US support.
However, von der Leyen made it clear that this will not happen.
"Our energy prices cannot be dictated by a hostile neighbour," the European Commission President summarized.
Refusal of Russian gas in EU
The EU has promised to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027 in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but has not yet provided a roadmap for how to do so.
