European Commission proposes phased end to EU imports of Russian gas and oil

Strasbourg/Brussels 17 June (ČTK correspondent) - The European Union will gradually phase out all imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027. The European Commission presented the legislative proposal today. The proposal bans imports of natural gas originating in Russia or exported directly or indirectly from Russia, as well as the provision of services at LNG terminals in the European Union to customers from Russia. Hungary and Slovakia in particular had previously opposed the proposal.

"Russia has repeatedly tried to blackmail us by weaponising its energy supplies," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

"We have taken clear steps to turn off the taps and definitively end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe," she added.

The proposed regulation will be considered under the ordinary legislative procedure, meaning its adoption will depend on the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, which represents the member states. Adoption by the Council will require a qualified majority. This means that Hungary and Slovakia will be unable to block it.

The key proposed measures are a ban on imports of Russian gas under new contracts (signed after 17 June 2025) from 1 January 2026, and a complete phase-out of imports of Russian gas under all existing contracts by the end of 2027.

The proposed regulation sets out a gradual phase-out of imports to ensure market and supply stability. For existing short-term supply contracts, the ban will apply from 17 June 2026 to importers who can prove to customs authorities that the contracts were signed before 17 June 2025 and have not subsequently been amended. This is because the economic security risk posed by these contracts is low.

For long-term contracts, the ban will apply from 1 January 2028, provided importers can prove that the contracts were signed before 17 June 2025 and have not subsequently been amended. This is because importers with long-term contracts may need more time to find alternative supplies, as such contracts typically cover significantly larger volumes than short-term contracts.

The proposal follows a plan presented by the EC in May. At the time, European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen announced that the plan included nine specific measures for a coordinated, gradual phase-out of Russian energy supplies. So far, the proposal covers only gas and oil; nuclear energy will be addressed later.

Decades of dependence on Russian energy imports have left the EU vulnerable to supply disruptions and price fluctuations that have had a far-reaching impact on the entire economy, the European Commission said in a statement. Russia has proved to be an unreliable partner by systematically weaponising gas supplies and manipulating energy markets, the EU executive said.

Since the start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the European Union has significantly reduced its dependence on Russian energy under the REPowerEU plan, launched in 2022. Imports of Russian gas, both LNG and pipeline gas, fell significantly from 45 percent in 2021 to 19 percent in 2024. Projections show a further decline to 13 percent this year, following the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.

EU sanctions have also reduced imports of Russian oil, from 27 percent at the beginning of 2022 to three percent in 2024. The sanctions have also completely banned imports of Russian coal into the EU. Russian gas is still imported by 10 EU member states, while Russian oil is imported by two countries, Hungary and Slovakia.

"The remaining volumes of Russian gas can be phased out gradually without significant economic impact or risks to security of supply, thanks to the availability of sufficient alternative suppliers on the global gas market, the Union's well-interconnected gas market and sufficient import infrastructure in the EU," the Commission's statement said.

The EU executive will support the member states throughout the process and may take necessary emergency measures if the security of supply of one or more member states is threatened, the statement added.

In this context, member states will have to submit so-called diversification plans setting out precise measures and milestones for the gradual phase-out of imports of Russian gas and oil. They must submit these plans to the European Commission by 1 March 2026.

Companies with contracts to supply Russian gas will also have to provide information to the Commission. They will also have to provide customs authorities with all information confirming the route taken by imported gas, from its actual origin to its point of entry into the EU.

"Imports of gas from Russia pose a security threat to Europe. That is why we are now proposing an EU ban on imports of Russian gas. This will increase our energy independence while reducing the revenues that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin uses to finance his war," European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said.

He said the Commission would work with all member states, particularly those that could face difficulties as a result. The approach would be coordinated and gradual. "No member state will be left without energy as a result of this proposal," he added, responding to concerns raised by Hungary and Slovakia.