EU to End Russian Gas Imports

In a landmark decision, the European Union is set to phase out imports of Russian natural gas, aiming to eliminate dependence on Russian energy and counter its use as a geopolitical weapon. The agreement, reached between the European Parliament and the Council, outlines a schedule to cease all imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by early 2026 and pipeline gas by the end of September 2027.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, and the Committee on International Trade, along with the Danish Presidency of the Council, finalized the draft legislation late Wednesday. The regulation includes severe penalties for any infringements by member states’ operators and sets a framework for an eventual ban on Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.

The legislation also strengthens measures against potential circumvention of the rules. Operators will now be required to provide detailed evidence of the gas’s country of production before import or storage. This move is part of broader efforts to ensure that the EU can respond more robustly to emergencies that may affect its energy security.

MEPs highlighted the significance of this agreement in protecting Europe from external energy pressures. Finnish MEP Ville Niinistö emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The EU is taking giant steps towards a new era free of Russian gas and oil. Now, we must act without delay to finalize this agreement.” Latvian MEP Inese Vaidere echoed these sentiments, celebrating the agreement as a “historic turning point in European energy policy.”

The provisional agreement is set for a vote in the relevant committees on December 11, with a full Parliament vote scheduled for the December 15-18 plenary session. If endorsed, these new regulations will mark a critical step in the EU’s strategic autonomy in energy matters.