The European Parliament supported the phased abandonment of Russian gas: what is known
18 December 15:35
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the EU’s plan to completely stop importing Russian gas by the end of 2027, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The document still needs to be approved by the EU Council, but Brussels expects this to happen early next year.
What is known
The European Parliament has voted in favor of a legislative plan that provides for the European Union’s phased withdrawal from Russian gas. The document was voted in favor by 500 deputies, against by 120, and 32 abstentions.
After the vote in the European Parliament, the initiative must be formally approved by the EU Council, without which it will not come into force.
How exactly will the EU refuse gas from Russia?
According to the plan:
- russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be banned from being imported into the EU from the beginning of 2026 after the law comes into force;
- pipeline gas from Russia will be cut off by September 30, 2027;
- member States are obliged to impose fines on operators who violate the ban.
Also, importing companies will have to provide customs authorities with detailed evidence of the country of origin to reduce the risks of circumventing the restrictions.
What the European Parliament demanded in addition
During the negotiations with the EU Council, MEPs insisted on
- a complete ban on imports of Russian oil;
- stricter conditions under which the ban could be temporarily suspended in case of an extraordinary threat to energy security.
In response, the European Commission promised to submit separate legislation on oil in early 2026 so that the embargo could come into force no later than the end of 2027.
The plan to stop importing Russian gas was agreed upon on December 10 at the level of EU ambassadors. Brussels has also repeatedly stated that the EU will not return to energy supplies from Russia even after the war against Ukraine ends.
The final decision is now up to the EU Council. If the document is approved, the European Union will for the first time enshrine in law the complete rejection of one of the key sources of Russian budget revenues.
