The European Parliament approved this Wednesday the EU (European Union) plan to gradually eliminate imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027, overcoming the penultimate legal obstacle for the ban to come into force.
The EU with legislation to sever relations with Russia, Europe’s former main gas supplier, fulfilling the promise made after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Among the parliamentarians, 500 voted in favor, 120 against and 32 abstained. The ban still needs formal approval from European Union ministers, expected early next year. Officials expect countries to approve the agreement without changes.
The law was meant to be approved by a strengthened majority of countries, allowing it to overcome opposition from and Slovakia, which want to maintain close ties with Moscow.
Under the agreement, the EU will suspend Russian imports of liquefied natural gas until the end of 2026 and of pipeline gas until the end of September 2027.
As of October, Russia accounted for 12% of the European Union’s gas imports, down from 45% before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Hungary, France and Belgium are among the countries still receiving the gas.
The European Commission said it will also present a legislative proposal in early 2026 to phase out imports of Russian oil.
