The European Commission indicated last month it would seek to prohibit Russian gas imports under new contracts as of January 1, 2026 and imports under existing short-term contracts by June 17 next year.
“Russia has repeatedly attempted to blackmail us by weaponising its energy supplies. We have taken clear steps to turn off the tap and end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe for good,“ said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
The move aims to bypass potential opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, which are diplomatically closer to the Kremlin and still import Russian gas via pipeline.
While sanctions need unanimous approval from the EU’s 27 nations, trade restrictions only require the backing of a weighted majority of 15 countries.
Although gas imports via pipeline have fallen sharply, several European countries have increased their purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), transported by sea.
Thirty-two billion cubic metres of the fuel entered the bloc via the TurkStream pipeline, and 20 billion cubic metres through liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
But on Monday, EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen sought to reassure importers.
“Since this will be a prohibition, a ban, the companies will not get into legal problems. This is force majeure as if it had been a sanction,“ he told a press conference.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( EU lays out plan to end Russian gas imports )
Also on site :