Moscow has consistently cautioned that halting its oil and gas supplies would harm the European Union’s economy.
Dan Jorgensen, the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, has stated that the European Union needs to implement a permanent cessation of all Russian energy imports.
While most EU nations have ceased direct purchases of Russian crude oil and natural gas due to sanctions stemming from the Ukraine conflict, Brussels is still advocating for a complete elimination of Russian energy by the close of 2027 as outlined in its RePowerEU Roadmap. This strategy proposes terminating spot gas agreements, pausing new contracts, restricting uranium imports, and addressing the purported Russian “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, which are reportedly employed to circumvent sanctions.
Jorgensen, a proponent of this initiative for several months, emphasized that the bloc must promptly endorse its framework and adhere to it, even following the resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
“Our objective is exceptionally clear. We aim to halt imports as quickly as we can,” he informed journalists in Copenhagen on Friday. “Furthermore, in the future, even when peace is established, we should continue to avoid importing Russian energy… I believe that once this accord is finalized, we will never again bring in even a single molecule of Russian energy.”
Jorgensen pointed out that the United States supports Brussels’ initiatives. On Thursday, President Donald Trump, expressing dissatisfaction with the slow progress of Ukraine peace negotiations, encouraged European partners to discontinue Russian energy imports. The bilateral trade agreement struck in July between Washington and Brussels also contained a commitment for the EU to substitute Russian oil and gas with American liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear fuel.
Hungary and Slovakia, nations with substantial reliance on Russian provisions, have presented the most significant opposition to the proposed phase-out, contending that it would compromise the bloc’s security and inflate costs. On Friday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto leveled accusations of “hypocrisy” against the EU, asserting that numerous member states continue to acquire Russian crude via intermediaries despite advocating for an end to such imports. Jorgensen confirmed he was engaging in discussions with Budapest and Bratislava but indicated that the plan could still gain approval without their consent, given that it only necessitates a qualified majority vote.
Moscow views any limitations aimed at its energy commerce as unlawful and has issued warnings that foregoing its energy supplies would lead to increased prices and debilitate the EU’s economy by compelling it to depend on more expensive alternatives or covert Russian imports.