The European Commission has unveiled a landmark legislative proposal aiming to entirely phase out imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027.
The European Commission put forth a comprehensive legislative proposal to gradually cease all imports of Russian gas and oil by the close of 2027. This initiative, building on the previously adopted REPowerEU Roadmap, underscores the Union's determination to sever its energy ties with Russia, which Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted as having repeatedly attempted to "blackmail us by weaponising its energy supplies."
The proposal outlines a structured, stepwise phase-out designed to ensure the security of the EU's energy supply while minimizing adverse impacts on prices and markets. This strategic approach is bolstered by the Commission's analysis, which indicates that the remaining Russian gas volumes can be replaced without significant economic disruption, thanks to a diverse global gas market, a well-interconnected Union gas infrastructure, and sufficient import capabilities within the EU.
Under the proposed regulation, new contracts for Russian gas imports will be prohibited starting January 1, 2026. Existing short-term contracts are slated to conclude by June 17, 2026, with a specific exception for pipeline gas supplied to land-locked countries under long-term contracts, which will be permitted until the end of 2027. All remaining long-term contracts for both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are set to expire by the end of 2027. Furthermore, long-term contracts for LNG terminal services involving Russian entities will also be prohibited, redirecting capacity to alternative suppliers and enhancing market resilience.
Member States will be mandated to submit detailed diversification plans, outlining specific measures and milestones for eliminating Russian gas and oil imports. The Commission, in collaboration with the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), will closely monitor the progress and impacts of this phase-out, with provisions for emergency measures if the security of supply for any Member State is threatened.
To ensure effective implementation of the import ban, the proposal also includes provisions to enhance the transparency, monitoring, and traceability of Russian gas within EU markets. Companies holding contracts for Russian gas will be required to provide information to the Commission, and importers will need to furnish customs authorities with comprehensive details confirming the origin and transit of imported gas.
This comprehensive phase-out of Russian fossil fuels is expected to significantly contribute to the objectives outlined in the Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Affordable Energy Action Plan. These frameworks emphasize how a cleaner, independent energy system can stimulate economic growth while supporting Europe's ambitious decarbonization targets.
