EU fight against Putin: end to Russian gas by 2027!

The European Union (EU) has unveiled a detailed plan to reduce dependence on Russian gas imports and weaken the Russian economy. These measures should be seen in particular in the context of geopolitical tensions and US efforts to persuade Russia to sign a peace treaty with Ukraine. On May 6, 2025, the plan to end the remaining gas imports from Russia will be presented. A key measure is the introduction of a legal clause that could allow European companies to withdraw from existing offtake contracts under force majeure.

The EU is also considering banning customers from concluding new gas contracts with Russia. Transparency about the origin of gas deliveries is to be increased by requiring companies to share information about quantities and contract periods with national authorities and the Commission. However, legal experts doubt whether a reference to force majeure is enough to breach contracts, as it requires the supplier to fail to meet its obligations. Agnieszka Ason, an energy lawyer, explains that this is difficult to implement in practice.

Gas imports from Russia remain problematic

Current figures show that despite increasing efforts to reduce dependence on Russian gas, around 19 percent of the EU's gas needs are still met by Russian gas. This is mainly done via the Turkstream pipeline or as liquefied natural gas (LNG). The EU has set itself the goal of no longer sourcing fuel supplies from Russia by 2027, but this goal is not legally binding. In 2024, gas imports from Russia increased by 18 percent compared to 2023, with Italy, the Czech Republic and France in particular continuing to purchase more gas from Russia, although demand in the EU has not grown.

This development is worrying, especially given that gas prices have increased by almost 60 percent in 2024. In addition, Ukraine has not allowed any Russian natural gas to pass through since the turn of the year, further complicating the situation. While the EU Commission is working on a roadmap to completely abandon Russian fossil energy, dependence on Russian LNG remains, which is why investments in LNG projects in Russia and the use of EU ports for the export of Russian LNG to third countries are prohibited, such as daily news reported.

The current EU measures and future steps make it clear that the issue of energy dependence on Russia remains highly complex and accompanied by geopolitical tensions. Security of supply is considered critical, and experts warn that abandoning Russian gas risks relying too heavily on LNG supplies from the US, as geopolitical tensions also exist here, as is the case fr.de explained.