The EU has agreed on a final date for complete withdrawal from Russian gas

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The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a preliminary political agreement on the regulation, which defines the rules for the phase-out of the import of Russian natural gas. If the document is approved, the full ban will come until the end of 2027.

Source: press release Council of the European Union

Details: The document is a key element of the REPowerEU plan aimed at strengthening Europe’s energy independence. The new rules establish a legally binding total ban on the import of Russian gas, both liquefied (LNG) and pipeline.

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The final ban on long-term pipeline gas contracts will take effect no later than November 1, 2027. For long-term LNG contracts, the restrictions will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

For short-term contracts concluded until June 2025, a transition period is provided: the ban on Russian LNG will start on April 25, 2026, and on pipeline gas – on June 17, 2026.

To enforce the ban, the EU will introduce a system of prior import authorization. For Russian gas, information will need to be submitted at least one month before delivery.

Any changes to existing contracts will only be permitted for technical reasons and will not be able to increase the scope of supply.

The regulation also obliges member states to submit national supply diversification plans. The same requirement will apply to states that still import Russian oil. The European Commission intends to propose a legislative initiative to stop oil imports from the Russian Federation no later than the end of 2027.

Fines are provided for both companies and individuals for violating the new rules.

“This is a big victory for us and for the whole of Europe. We have to end the EU’s dependence on Russian gas, and its complete ban in the EU is an important step in this direction,” said the Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, Lars Aagaard.

The preliminary agreement must be officially approved by the EU Council and the European Parliament, after which the document will be finally adopted.

Prehistory:

• The Council of the EU on Monday, October 20, by an overwhelming majority of votes supported the RePowerEU mechanismwhich provides for the complete refusal of the European Union to use Russian fossil fuels; Hungary and Slovakia opposed it.

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