European Commission aims to ban imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027

The European Commission launched a plan in May 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, to become independent from Russian oil and gas. Thanks to the acceleration of the green transition, energy savings, and the diversification of energy supply, gas imports were reduced by 60 billion cubic meters annually between 2022 and 2024.

However, last year the EU still imported more Russian gas: 52 billion cubic meters, of which 32 billion cubic meters via pipelines and 20 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). That accounts for about 19 percent of total EU gas imports. The Belgian port of Zeebrugge is an important hub for Russian LNG. Last year, according to the Institute of Economics and Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), 7 billion cubic meters passed through the gas terminal.

“We will no longer allow Russia to use energy against us, we will no longer allow our member states to be blackmailed, and we will no longer indirectly fill the war chest,” said European Commissioner Dan Jorgensen during the presentation of the plan. “Last year we paid 23 billion to Russia for energy, more than we have given in support to Ukraine. That must stop.”

The Commission aims to impose a ban on new contracts with Russian suppliers by the end of the year, both long-term and through spot markets. This should reduce supplies of Russian gas by a third. By the end of 2027, all imports of Russian gas must be halted.

Companies bound by long-term contracts, such as Fluxys, the operator of the terminal in Zeebrugge, will not be held responsible for breaking those contracts as that will be considered a case of force majeure, Jorgensen assured.