Eu countries have agreed to stop importing Russian natural gas by the end of 2027

Eu countries have agreed to end the import of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027.

AFP reported that the EU member states approved the plan proposed by the European Commission at a meeting of energy ministers held in Luxembourg on Monday (October 20). Danish Energy Minister Agard said that this move is a crucial step towards achieving energy independence in Europe.

The European Union is attempting to reduce its reliance on Russian energy supplies. The European Commission's plan calls for a gradual halt to the import of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas from Russia, but the above proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.

The European Commission is also pushing for the implementation of the ban on liquefied natural gas imports one year earlier, in January 2027, as one of the new sanctions measures to weaken Moscow's war funds.

However, new sanctions must be unanimously agreed upon by the 27 EU member states, and such consensus is sometimes difficult to reach. The trade restrictions approved at the energy ministers' meeting on Monday can be passed with the support of a weighted majority of the 15 member states.

Diplomatic sources disclosed that, apart from Hungary and Slovakia, which have a Pro-Russian diplomatic stance and still import Russian gas through pipelines, all other EU countries support the latest move.

According to the proposal passed on Monday, the EU will ban new contracts for the import of Russian natural gas starting from January 1, 2026.

The existing contract enjoys a transition period. The short-term contract allows for the supply of natural gas, which can be extended until June 17 next year. Long-term contracts can be extended until January 1, 2028.

Although the volume of Russian natural gas imported through pipelines has dropped significantly since the Russia-Ukraine war, many European countries have increased their purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas by sea.

According to the European Commission's estimation, by 2025, Russian natural gas will still account for 13% of the EU's total imports, with an annual value exceeding 15 billion euros.