In brief
The European Commission is set to implement a roadmap to eliminate Europe’s dependence on Russian energy sources. By the end of 2027, all gas and liquefied natural gas imports from Russia will be banned across European Union member states. This initiative follows the Kremlin's aggressive tactics amidst the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen emphasizing the need to cut off Russia’s financial resources used to support military actions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the EU’s resolution, arguing that Europe is harming its own interests.
Following a legislative proposal expected in June, EU nations will be tasked with creating "national plans" to cease the import of Russian energy, including oil, gas, and nuclear fuels. The European Commission has reported that reliance on Russian sources has considerably diminished since the beginning of the conflict, with gas imports reduced from 45% in 2021 to 19% in 2024. It has also noted a sharp decline in oil imports, down to just 3% from 27%.While progress has been made, Jorgensen warned that the EU is not yet fully independent from Russian energy due to the continued reliance on nuclear materials, with more than 14% of uranium sourced from Russia. The roadmap stresses a careful, gradual approach to minimize disruption for EU countries, alongside efforts to target Russia’s concealed oil trade employing “shadow fleets.” The EU is committed to enhancing energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy usage, and diversifying supply sources to fortify its economic security against Russian aggression.
