The move is part of the EU’s broader strategy to diminish its reliance on Russian energy amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Credit: Directorate-General for Communication/European Commission.
The EU has reiterated its commitment to phasing out Russian oil imports by 2028, reported Reuters, citing Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
This decision remains firm despite the absence of pressure from the US to advance the deadline.
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The move is part of the EU’s broader strategy to diminish its reliance on Russian energy amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Jorgensen, who is responsible for the EU’s energy policies, confirmed to the news agency that he had not been urged by the US administration personally to cease oil purchases from Russia ahead of the 2028 deadline.
However, he expressed openness to US support for the EU plan.
Dan Jorgensen was quoted by the news agency as saying: “Not only has Putin weaponised energy against us, blackmailed member states, we are actually also indirectly helping finance Putin’s war, and that needs to stop. And if President Trump agrees to that, then that is only a welcome support, because that is certainly our main objective.”
Slovakia and Hungary, which import approximately 200,000–250,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, have been vocal in their opposition to the phase-out plan, citing concerns over potential energy price hikes.
Jorgensen revealed ongoing discussions with both governments regarding their concerns but noted that the EU could approve the phase-out plans without their consent if necessary.
Jorgensen added: “If, for domestic reasons, there are countries that don’t feel that they can support it, then this is not something that demands unanimity.”
The EU’s reliance on Russian gas is also set to decrease, with purchases expected to drop to around 13% this year from around 45% prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Meanwhile, the US has levied tariffs on India due to its ongoing procurement of Russian oil, while India has criticised the West for hypocrisy.
EU diplomats anticipate that member countries’ energy ministers will endorse the legal proposals for phasing out Russian oil and gas imports at a meeting next month. These proposals are designed to be passed by a reinforced majority of member countries.
In addition, Jorgensen is scheduled to meet with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright next week in Brussels to discuss the EU’s pledge to purchase $250bn (€213.07bn) worth of US energy supplies annually under the US-EU trade deal.
Despite analysts’ views that the energy purchase pledge is “unrealistically high”, Jorgensen mentioned that discussions would take place regarding the ways in which the EU and US administrations might guarantee the enforcement of the agreement.
As a case in point, the Commission has indicated that it might aggregate the requirements of European companies to increase the purchase of US gas.
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