Banning the Gas Tap: EU Commission's Plan to Eliminate Russian Gas Imports
EU Intends to Halt Gas Imports from Moscow
Kick the Russian gas habit, that's the EU Commission's plan! Brussels revealed a phased-out strategy to ban all Russian gas imports, planned for next year till 2027-end. But hold on, there are some exceptions for now!
You know the drill - Putin's pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) accounted for around 19% of the 27 EU countries' gas imports last year, according to Commission stats. The Commission aims to cancel supplies from June 2026 onwards under short-term contracts, but landlocked countries have some wiggle room.
Europe's difficulties in replacing Russian pipeline gas with LNG shipped via boat have been considered. Hungary and Slovakia, in particular, might continue importing large quantities of gas from Russia for the next two years due to this exemption.
The Final Farewell for Nord Stream 2
The Commission has proposed a more extended transition period for preexisting long-term contracts due to higher supply quantities. March 2028 marks the final date for the elimination of Russian gas in the EU, effectively barring any future operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in German waters.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen promises that the Commission will keep every EU nation energized without shortage, even during this transition. If the security of one or more member states is threatened, the Commission can temporarily suspend the ban, according to the proposed text.
Politics Playing Chess
Legally, this Brussels plan isn't exactly new sanctions. Instead, it relies on an article in the EU's fundamental treaties. The Commission wants to skirt possible Hungarian and Slovakian vetoes this way, by enacting it as law instead of sanctions. This move avoids the requirement for unanimous approval; only a majority consent of at least 15 member states representing 65% of the EU population is needed[4]. Additionally, the European Parliament must grant its approval as well.
Now you're up to speed! European countries move closer to dumping Russian gas, but landlocked member states and some existing long-term contracts still have some staying power.
- Russia
- Gas Supplies
- Gas
- Nord Stream
- Attack on Ukraine
- Sanctions
- EU Commission
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- The European Union's community policy regarding gas imports includes the proposed phasing out of Russian gas, which could potentially be extended for some long-term contracts, as seen in the case of Hungary and Slovakia.
- The economic and monetary union's strategy for ending reliance on Russian gas is not entirely new sanctions, but an application of an article in the union's treaties, aiming to bypass potential vetoes from Hungary and Slovakia by enacting it as law, requiring only majority consent from 15 member states representing 65% of the EU population, and approval from the European Parliament.
