The European Union has a non-binding goal to phase out imports of Russian natural gas by 2027, but it\u2019s unlikely to resort to a ban to achieve that indicative target.<\/p>\n
The EU is set to unveil on Tuesday a roadmap for phasing out Russian gas\u2014a pledge the bloc made in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<\/p>\n
However, Russian gas still accounts for more than 15% of the EU\u2019s gas deliveries, including by pipeline and via LNG imports.<\/p>\n
Russian pipeline gas supply via Ukraine stopped on January 1, 2025, after Ukraine refused to negotiate an extension to the transit deal.<\/p>\n
However, some European countries, including Hungary, continue to receive Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline via the Balkans.<\/p>\n
Hungary is also opposing any new energy sanctions against Russia, especially in gas supply, which suggests that an EU ban or embargo on Russian gas imports \u2013 necessitating a unanimous approval by all 27 EU member states \u2013 is unlikely to fly.<\/p>\n
EU Energy Commissioner, Dan J\u00f8rgensen, will present a roadmap this week with concrete measures to phase out all imports of Russian fossil fuels, \u201cso that we will no longer rely on a hostile power for our energy supply,\u201d European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said<\/a> at the end of April.<\/p>\n The EU has reduced the share of Russian gas imports, from 45% of all gas imports before 2022, down to 18% now, von der Leyen noted.<\/p>\n However, the EU has boosted imports<\/a>\u00a0of Russian LNG in recent months.<\/p>\n Last month, reports emerged that the EU is looking for legal ways<\/a> to tear long-term natural gas supply contracts with Russia\u2019s Gazprom without having to pay sizable penalties. The leading option is declaring a force majeure, the Financial Times reported<\/a> in mid-April, citing officials from the European Commission.<\/p>\n