EU Unveils Plans to Phase Out Russian Gas Imports by 2028 Amid Ongoing Tensions
The European Commission has made a strong commitment to eliminate dependence on Russian gas, announcing plans to completely phase out fossil fuel imports from Russia by the year 2028. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen stated unequivocally that a proposed ban on Russian gas imports will remain in effect, regardless of the state of peace in Ukraine.
This move comes in response to Russia's historical actions of cutting gas supplies during various crises—in 2006, 2009, 2014, and the recent reduction of gas flows in 2021—further exacerbating energy prices and contributing to soaring inflation across Europe.
Under the new proposals, European firms will be prohibited from importing Russian gas or providing services at EU liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals to Russian buyers. Any contracts entered into after today must be concluded by January 1, 2026, while companies holding pre-existing agreements will have until January 1, 2028, to terminate them.
Despite facing opposition from Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria—nations that rely heavily on Russian gas—the proposal is not expected to face enough pushback to prevent it from becoming law. Jørgensen emphasized that the decision to phase out Russian fossil fuels is not merely a reaction to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but a necessary step due to Russia's history of weaponizing energy supplies and blackmailing EU member states. He stated, "Irrespective of whether there is peace or not—which we hope there will be—this ban will still stand."
To reinforce this commitment, EU importers will now be required to provide customs authorities with detailed information about the origin of their gas imports to stave off any attempts to disguise Russian imports under different labels. It's predicted that by 2025, only about 13% of EU gas imports will originate from Russia, a significant drop from 45% in 2021. Despite reductions in pipeline gas imports from Russia in 2024, the EU has reportedly purchased record amounts of Russian LNG, calling into question its commitment to both supporting Ukraine and achieving climate goals.
The Commission is also aiming to halt Russian oil imports by 2028, down from 27% in 2021 to just 3% today. However, Hungary and Slovakia have secured exemptions from the oil embargo, allowing them to continue receiving oil through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szíjjártó has voiced strong concerns over the EU’s energy plans, claiming that Hungarian consumers could see utility costs quadruple. In a dramatic appeal shared on social media, he employed a cinematic soundtrack to underscore his warning. EU officials, however, have dismissed suggestions that consumer prices will surge as a result of the bans.
In a more measured critique, Austria's energy ministry urged that the EU should consider resuming gas imports from Russia should peace be restored, but Lena Schilling, a Green MEP from Austria, critiqued this view as shortsighted and morally irresponsible. "Have we learned nothing from bombed hospitals, abducted children, and a war of aggression in the heart of Europe?" she questioned, highlighting the ethical implications surrounding energy imports from a nation embroiled in conflict.
Overall, the EU's initiative signals a significant shift in energy policy, aiming for a robust decoupling from Russian energy resources while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape shaped by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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