EUs Strategic Phase-Out Plan to Eliminate Russian Gas Imports by 2027

On Tuesday, Brussels disclosed further specifics regarding its plan to eliminate Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, aiming to sever decades of energy dependence that the EU has found difficult to dismantle following Moscow’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The initiative would ban new contracts for Russian gas starting on January 1, 2026, and terminate imports under current short-term contracts by June 17, 2026. The European Commission confirmed that all remaining imports would be gradually eliminated by the close of 2027.

«Russia has consistently attempted to use energy supplies as leverage against us. We are taking definitive actions to cut off this flow and permanently end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe,» stated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In contrast to past sanctions, this ban will utilize trade and energy legislation to limit Russian gas imports—an approach intended to circumvent potential resistance from member nations such as Hungary and Slovakia, which generally maintain friendly relations with Moscow and continue to receive Russian pipeline gas.

This proposal requires the endorsement of both the European Parliament and the European Council, which represents EU member states.

While sanctions necessitate unanimous consent from all 27 EU nations, trade restrictions only require backing from a qualified majority of at least 15 member states.

The EU imposed a ban on most Russian oil at the end of 2022 and has since been working to lessen its reliance on Russian gas. While pipeline imports have seen a significant decline, imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG)—transported by sea—have increased in various countries.

According to EU statistics, Russia accounted for 19% of the bloc’s gas supply in 2023, a decrease from 45% prior to the conflict. Out of this, 32 billion cubic meters were delivered through the TurkStream pipeline, and an additional 20 billion cubic meters were shipped as LNG.

A senior official from the EU indicated that the ban could likely lead to arbitration disputes, as some companies possess long-term contracts extending beyond 2027.

However, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen assured that importers would be shielded from legal repercussions.

«This will be a prohibition… companies will not face legal complications. This falls under force majeure, similar to a sanction,» he remarked on Monday.