EU Proposes Phasing Out Russian LNG Imports by 2027: Concerns Increase Among France and Belgium
Get the Inside Scoop: France and Belgium Hesitant on EU's Phase-Out of Russian LNG
France and Belgium are expressing reservations about the European Commission's latest proposal to phase out Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), demanding additional assurances. According to Politico, these two nations, major EU importers of Russian LNG, need stronger legal and economic guarantees before committing to the phase-out plan.
The Kremlin's energy exports remain a crucial revenue source for its military campaign against Ukraine. The Commission's proposal, unveiled on May 6, outlines a roadmap to end the bloc's dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Despite the EU reducing its reliance on Russian gas from 45% in 2021 to 19% in early 2025, some key member states, like France and Belgium, are wary about severing LNG ties entirely.
French Energy Minister Marc Ferracci told Politico that Paris supports diversification but prioritizes securing alternative supplies. France is sourcing alternative LNG from Qatar and other suppliers, but it remains bound to long-term contracts with Russian firms. Ferracci emphasized the need for legal protection for the existing contract stock.
Belgium, Europe's second-largest Russian LNG customer, is seeking an "in-depth impact assessment" before backing the Commission's plan. They're concerned about how ending imports would affect their LNG terminals and storage infrastructure, which are expected to handle Russian shipments until 2035.
Unlike France and Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands have expressed readiness to endorse the Commission's strategy. Ukrainian officials and civil society groups have consistently urged the EU to cut these financial lifelines, pointing to the ongoing Russian attacks and occupation.
The cautious stance by France and Belgium diverges from that of Spain and the Netherlands. The internal divisions among member states risk delaying the phase-out plan's implementation. The proposed cutoff is part of a broader push to safeguard European energy sovereignty and reinforce the EU's sanctions architecture.
Insider Insights:
- France is prioritizing diversification of its LNG supplies, focusing on securing alternative sources such as Qatari gas.
- Belgium is seeking an "in-depth impact assessment" to understand the financial implications of abruptly ending long-term contracts.
- Both countries are looking for legal protection for their ongoing contracts with Russian firms and clearer mechanisms to handle potential legal disputes.
- Migration patterns within the EU might be impacted by the ongoing political debate about the phase-out of Russian LNG, as the economy and energy policies of member states intertwine.
- War-and-conflicts in Ukraine and their effects on Russia's military financing are influencing the politics of energy policy-and-legislation within the EU, as nations like France and Belgium consider their economic ties to Russian firms.
- General-news outlets are reporting on crime-and-justice issues associated with the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels, as opposing opinions among key member states like France and Belgium heighten the potential for legal dilemmas arising from the phase-out of Russian LNG, particularly regarding long-term contracts.
