Background on the Decision
On Monday, energy ministers from the European Union (EU) supported a proposal to progressively eliminate Russian oil and gas imports by January 2028, according to the Council of the European Union. The decision was made during a meeting in Luxembourg.
Key Points of the Proposal
- New gas import contracts from Russia will be phased out starting January 2026.
- Short-term existing gas import contracts will end by June 2026.
- Long-term gas import contracts will be terminated by January 2028.
Regulatory Process and Challenges
The regulation is not yet final, as EU member countries must negotiate the definitive rules with the European Parliament, which is still debating its stance.
The EU aims to progressively eliminate Russian energy imports to deprive the Kremlin of funds used to finance its war in Ukraine.
Currently, Russia accounts for 12% of the EU’s gas imports, down from 45% before its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Hungary, France, and Belgium are among the countries still receiving Russian gas.
The European Commission designed these proposals to be approved despite past opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, the only countries still importing Russian oil.
The proposal required the support of a “qualified majority” of EU member states, meaning at least 55%, so that no single or a few countries could block it.
The text approved on Monday includes specific flexibilities for landlocked member states, including Hungary and Slovakia.
Slovakia’s Resistance and EU Negotiations
Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, defended his country’s resistance to gradually phasing out gas and oil imports from Russia, as well as sanctions against Russia, which require EU unanimity.
Slovakia delayed the last package of sanctions due to demands related to the planned gradual elimination of Russian energy imports.
Meanwhile, the EU is negotiating a new package of sanctions against Russia that would prohibit LNG imports one year earlier, starting January 2027.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated on Monday that the new sanctions package could be approved this week.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of this decision? The EU aims to progressively eliminate Russian energy imports to reduce the Kremlin’s financial support for its war in Ukraine.
- What specific actions are being taken? New gas import contracts from Russia will be phased out starting January 2026, short-term existing contracts by June 2026, and long-term contracts by January 2028.
- Why are some countries resisting the decision? Slovakia and Hungary, which still import Russian oil, have shown resistance due to specific demands related to the gradual elimination of Russian energy imports.
- What additional sanctions is the EU considering? The EU is negotiating a new package of sanctions against Russia that would prohibit LNG imports starting January 2027.
