The EU will gradually cancel the import of Russian gas by the fall of 2027. National gas diversification plans will help achieve the Union’s energy self-sufficiency by the set deadline.
Representatives of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament (EP) agreed on the night of Wednesday in Brussels to end all imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027. TASR informs about this with reference to the press statements of both institutions.
- The EU plans to stop importing Russian gas by 2027.
- The proposal includes a phase-out of LNG and pipeline gas.
- Slovakia and Hungary were given special transition periods for oil.
- Member States must prepare plans to diversify supplies.
- Supply contracts must adhere to precisely defined deadlines.
The proposed regulation envisages a legally binding and gradual ban on the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas via gas pipelines from Russia, with the full ban coming into effect from the end of next year, or autumn 2027. The aim is to achieve a resilient and independent Union energy market while maintaining security of supply, the EU Council statement says. The preliminary agreement still needs to be approved by the member states in the EU Council and MEPs before formal adoption.
The plan also concerns Slovakia
According to the agreement, next year the European Commission is also to present a plan for the gradual end of the import of Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary by the end of 2027, writes the DPA agency.
It is these two countries that have long criticized the EU’s intention to completely cut itself off from the import of Russian gas and oil. The Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, described the Commission’s proposal as part of the REPowerEU initiative as ideological and harmful not only for Slovakia, but also for the entire Union. The DPA agency recalls that both countries have already blocked EU plans to support Ukraine or adopt restrictive measures against Russia due to disputes over the supply of Russian energy raw materials.
Representatives of the Council of the EU and the EP agreed in Brussels to maintain the transition periods for existing gas supply contracts. For short-term contracts concluded before June 17, 2025, the ban on Russian gas imports will apply from April 25, 2026 for LNG and from June 17, 2026 for gas delivered through a pipeline. Regarding long-term LNG import contracts, the ban will apply from January 1, 2027, and for pipeline imports, the ban will come into effect on September 30, 2027. Amendments to existing contracts will only be allowed for narrowly defined operational purposes and cannot lead to an increase in volumes, the Council emphasized in a statement.
Countries submit plans
“This is a great victory for us and for the whole of Europe. We must end the EU’s dependence on Russian gas and its permanent ban in the Union is a significant step in the right direction. I am very happy and proud that we managed to reach an agreement with the European Parliament so quickly. It shows our determination to strengthen our security and secure our energy supplies,” noted the Danish Minister for Climate and Energy Lars Aagaard, who led the negotiations for the Council of the EU.
The proposal further requires all member states to submit national diversification plans outlining measures to diversify their gas supplies and potential challenges in order to end all gas imports from Russia in a timely manner in accordance with the deadlines set out in the regulation.
The agreement also contains a security clause in the event of a serious threat to the security of supplies in one or more member states. In such a case, the Commission could allow these countries to temporarily suspend the ban on gas imports. Such temporary supplies will only be allowed if the Member State declares a state of emergency.
