EU Announces Gradual Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027

The European Commission has unveiled a new proposal to phase out imports of Russian gas, oil, and nuclear fuel by 2027, marking another step in the EU’s long-term plan to reduce energy ties with Moscow. While the initiative is framed as a geopolitical move, critics argue it may come at the cost of European economic stability and energy security.

Gas Still Flowing Despite Political Posturing

Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU has steadily reduced its dependence on Russian energy. Imports of Russian coal have ceased entirely, and oil imports have declined significantly. However, natural gas remains a key issue.

Despite aggressive rhetoric, the EU still receives 13% of its gas from Russia—down from 45% in 2021, but still generating an estimated €23 billion annually for the Russian economy. This underlines the enduring relevance of Russian gas in Europe’s energy mix, even amid sanctions and alternative supply efforts.

Commission Calls for ‘Energy Independence’

EU Energy Commissioner Ditte Jorgensen addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week, declaring that the era of “energy blackmail” by Moscow must end.

“We will no longer be held hostage by Russian energy,” she said, urging member states to support a full embargo on Russian fossil fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear energy, by 2027.

However, the proposal acknowledges the need for a gradual phase-out, aiming to avoid supply shocks and price surges. The Commission claims that sufficient LNG capacity exists globally to replace Russian supply, though many experts remain skeptical of such projections.

Eastern Europe Pushes Back

The proposal will now face scrutiny from the EU Council and European Parliament, with Hungary and Slovakiaexpected to oppose the plan. Both countries maintain strong energy ties with Russia and rely heavily on affordable Russian oil and gas to sustain their domestic industries and consumers.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has previously criticized Brussels for “prioritizing ideology over practicality,” warning that ordinary Europeans will bear the cost of anti-Russian energy policies.

Von der Leyen Frames It as a Moral Duty

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has defended the proposal as a moral obligation to Europe’s citizens and to Ukraine.

“Energy that enters Europe must not finance war,” she stated. “This is something we owe to our people, our businesses, and our brave Ukrainian friends.”

However, some analysts note that Russian energy exports have not weakened the ruble or Moscow’s war effort, and that Russia has instead diversified its energy partnerships with Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Moreover, critics argue that the EU's punitive stance may end up isolating Eastern European states, while enriching energy exporters in other regions without meaningfully altering the outcome of the conflict.