Another step from Brussels: The European Union “will stop Import Russian gas effectively and permanently and move towards phasing out oil This was confirmed on Wednesday by a “historic” agreement between the European Parliament and the Council. The European Commission stated in its statement that “the EU’s dependence on an unreliable supplier, which has repeatedly destabilized European energy markets, threatened security of supply through energy extortion and damaged the European economy, will be ended.” In its statement, the European Commission spoke of “an essential step to ensure energy independence, competitiveness, flexibility and market stability” in Europe.
“Today we are entering the era of Europe’s complete energy independence from Russia. REPowerEU has fulfilled its mission. It has protected us from the worst energy crisis in decades and helped us ditch Russian fossil fuels At record speed. Today we have put an end to these imports once and for all. “By exhausting Putin’s war chests, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new partnerships and energy opportunities for this sector,” said Ursula von der Leyen, chair of the community’s executive board.
The agreement stipulates a gradual but final end to Russian gas imports: LNG will be phased out by December 31, 2026 and gas via gas pipelines by September 30, 2027.with the possibility of extending until October 31 of the same year if storage levels are insufficient. Prohibitions will apply depending on the type and date of contracts: Agreements Short-term contracts before June 17, 2025 will be banned between April and June 2026; Long-term LNG contracts before that date will be banned from January 2027; Gas pipeline contracts can only be maintained until September 2027, or until November if there are storage difficulties. Contractual amendments will only be possible for operational purposes without increasing prices or volumes.
With oil the margin is wider. The statement stated that the committee is committed to ensuring the gradual elimination of this phenomenon All remaining oil imports from Russia by the end of 2027This is in line with the Versailles Declaration. In addition, Brussels announced early next year a legislative proposal to ban imports of Russian oil. This item is important Because it is one of the most repeated allegations of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which Donald Trump has also joined.: The European Union should stop buying oil from Putin. Naturally, the bloc has a discordant voice, that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met last week with Putin in Moscow to, as he put it, “secure energy supplies” for Hungary. If Budapest does not adhere to the agreement, it may face action from Brussels.
On the other hand, the agreement provides “strong guarantees To prevent circumvention of the embargo, and to complement existing customs control systems The Commission explains that “enhancing transparency and traceability of Russian gas in European Union markets.” During the transition period, Russian gas import licenses will require detailed information to ensure that volumes are based exclusively on historical contracts.
A strategy for the gradual and coordinated phase-out of Russian fossil fuels has also been developed. Member states must submit their national energy diversification plans by March 1, 2026 Notifying the Committee of national contracts or embargoes related to Russian gas. The committee will evaluate the plans, make recommendations and provide support throughout the process.
To prevent circumvention of the ban, the regulation specifies mechanisms for monitoring and cooperation between authorities regarding natural gas imports. The Committee, in cooperation with ACER, EPPO and OLAF, We will closely monitor the progress and effects of eliminating Russian oil and gas. The measures will be implemented in a coordinated manner with national governments to minimize impacts on prices, stabilize markets through predictable alternative supplies and ensure legal certainty.
European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen also celebrated the decision. “Finally and forever, we will turn off the Russian gas tap,” he said in a brief appearance. “Europe has chosen energy security and independence. We will never return to our dangerous dependence on Russia. We will never go back to volatile supplies and market manipulation. We will never go back to energy extortion and economic exposure. We will remain stronger than ever alongside Ukraine in its search for freedom.”