The European Commission's roadmap includes legislative proposals to phase out Russian energy supplies and enhance energy security.
EU Announces Strategy to Eliminate Russian Gas Imports by 2027
EU Announces Strategy to Eliminate Russian Gas Imports by 2027
Comprehensive plan aims to sever energy ties with Russia in response to Ukraine invasion.
The European Commission has unveiled a strategic blueprint intended to eradicate the European Union's dependence on Russian energy sources over the next several years. This ambitious initiative outlines a complete ban on importing Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the conclusion of 2027. "We will no longer allow Russia to leverage energy as a weapon against us... We will not inadvertently bolster the [Kremlin's] military funding," stated Dan Jorgensen, the European Commissioner for Energy, during a press briefing held in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
In reaction to the EU's announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conveyed to Reuters that Europe was making a self-destructive choice. The commitment to sever energy ties with Russia was affirmed following Moscow's large-scale incursion into Ukraine in 2022. Legislative proposals aimed at all member states are scheduled for discussion in June, which will require nations to create their own "national plans" to systematically eliminate imports of Russian gas, nuclear fuel, and oil.
To successfully diminish reliance on Russian energy, the European Union plans to enhance energy efficiency, expedite the adoption of renewable energy sources, and diversify supply channels, as outlined in the Commission’s report. Although the bloc has significantly decreased its dependence on Russian oil, gas, and nuclear materials since the onset of the Ukraine war, a substantial portion of its energy is still sourced from Russia.
Currently, EU gas imports from Russia have dwindled from 45% in 2021 to 19% projected for 2024, while Russian oil imports have plummeted from 27% to a mere 3% during that same timeframe. However, the EU must tackle its nuclear supply issues, as over 14% of uranium in the bloc is still sourced from Russia as of 2024. The report also highlights that the current reliance poses "economic security risks" and inadvertently finances Russia's military endeavors. "We’ve made notable progress, but there’s still much work ahead," Jorgensen remarked during the conference, assuring that the measures to phase out Russian energy would be gradual and careful to lessen the impact on the EU’s economy. Additionally, the roadmap intends to confront Russia’s use of "shadow fleets"—oil tankers with misleading ownership and insurance profiles that allow Russia to circumvent sanctions on oil exports.
In reaction to the EU's announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conveyed to Reuters that Europe was making a self-destructive choice. The commitment to sever energy ties with Russia was affirmed following Moscow's large-scale incursion into Ukraine in 2022. Legislative proposals aimed at all member states are scheduled for discussion in June, which will require nations to create their own "national plans" to systematically eliminate imports of Russian gas, nuclear fuel, and oil.
To successfully diminish reliance on Russian energy, the European Union plans to enhance energy efficiency, expedite the adoption of renewable energy sources, and diversify supply channels, as outlined in the Commission’s report. Although the bloc has significantly decreased its dependence on Russian oil, gas, and nuclear materials since the onset of the Ukraine war, a substantial portion of its energy is still sourced from Russia.
Currently, EU gas imports from Russia have dwindled from 45% in 2021 to 19% projected for 2024, while Russian oil imports have plummeted from 27% to a mere 3% during that same timeframe. However, the EU must tackle its nuclear supply issues, as over 14% of uranium in the bloc is still sourced from Russia as of 2024. The report also highlights that the current reliance poses "economic security risks" and inadvertently finances Russia's military endeavors. "We’ve made notable progress, but there’s still much work ahead," Jorgensen remarked during the conference, assuring that the measures to phase out Russian energy would be gradual and careful to lessen the impact on the EU’s economy. Additionally, the roadmap intends to confront Russia’s use of "shadow fleets"—oil tankers with misleading ownership and insurance profiles that allow Russia to circumvent sanctions on oil exports.
