In a decisive move for energy independence following the Ukraine conflict, the EU has announced a comprehensive roadmap to terminate Russian gas imports by 2027.
EU Sets Ambitious Goal to Eliminate Russian Gas Imports by 2027
EU Sets Ambitious Goal to Eliminate Russian Gas Imports by 2027
The European Commission unveils a strategic plan aimed at phasing out Russian energy supplies completely within four years.
The European Commission has released a strategic plan detailing steps to end reliance on Russian energy, marking a move that follows the geopolitical tensions arising from the Ukraine conflict. European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen, stated, “No more will we permit Russia to weaponise energy against us.” The resolution aims to prohibit all forms of gas imports from Russia, including liquefied natural gas, by the end of 2027.
In light of the Commission's announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the strategy, suggesting it would be self-sabotaging for the European economies. This plan aligns with the EU's commitment to cease energy ties with Russia that emerged in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The timeline involves the introduction of legislative proposals in June, which will require EU member states to submit their national strategies for phasing out not just gas imports but also oil and nuclear fuel from Russia. Member states must create actionable plans to replace Russian oil by the target deadline of 2027 and work on strategies to reduce reliance on Russian uranium and other nuclear materials, which still constitute a notable percentage of the EU's energy supply.
As reported, the EU’s dependency on Russian energy sources has markedly declined since the onset of the war, with gas imports falling from 45% in 2021 to about 19% expected in 2024, while oil imports dipped dramatically from 27% to just 3%.
However, challenges remain. Reports indicate over 14% of uranium in the EU still comes from Russia, indicating risks to economic security tied to the Kremlin's military endeavors. Jorgensen acknowledged progress but emphasized that the transition away from Russian energy would need to be carried out gradually to mitigate adverse impacts on EU economies.
The roadmap also addresses the threat posed by Russia’s "shadow fleets," or oil tankers with unclear ownerships, which the Kremlin uses to circumvent sanctions and maintain oil exports.
The legislative push signals a pivotal shift for the EU as it works towards ensuring energy security and diminishing the financial leverage Russia holds through its energy resources.
In light of the Commission's announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the strategy, suggesting it would be self-sabotaging for the European economies. This plan aligns with the EU's commitment to cease energy ties with Russia that emerged in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The timeline involves the introduction of legislative proposals in June, which will require EU member states to submit their national strategies for phasing out not just gas imports but also oil and nuclear fuel from Russia. Member states must create actionable plans to replace Russian oil by the target deadline of 2027 and work on strategies to reduce reliance on Russian uranium and other nuclear materials, which still constitute a notable percentage of the EU's energy supply.
As reported, the EU’s dependency on Russian energy sources has markedly declined since the onset of the war, with gas imports falling from 45% in 2021 to about 19% expected in 2024, while oil imports dipped dramatically from 27% to just 3%.
However, challenges remain. Reports indicate over 14% of uranium in the EU still comes from Russia, indicating risks to economic security tied to the Kremlin's military endeavors. Jorgensen acknowledged progress but emphasized that the transition away from Russian energy would need to be carried out gradually to mitigate adverse impacts on EU economies.
The roadmap also addresses the threat posed by Russia’s "shadow fleets," or oil tankers with unclear ownerships, which the Kremlin uses to circumvent sanctions and maintain oil exports.
The legislative push signals a pivotal shift for the EU as it works towards ensuring energy security and diminishing the financial leverage Russia holds through its energy resources.
