MEPs and EU governments struck a landmark agreement early on Wednesday to phase out Russian gas by 30 September 2027, drawing a close to the bloc’s 57-year energy relationship with Moscow and paving the way for a Commission proposal to ban Russian oil.
“What happened today is a historic achievement with Europe displaying that we will never again be depconcludeent on Russian gas and there will be a permanent exit from it,” stated Ville Niinistö, the Finnish Green MEP who co-led the nereceivediations.
Under the deal, LNG cargoes of Russian origin will be banned from 1 January 2027, with pipeline imports following on 30 September the same year. Spot purchases will disappear earlier: LNG from 26 April 2026 and pipeline gas from 17 June 2026.
A compromise was clinched by a key concession from the European Commission, nereceivediators notified Euractiv.
Brussels will in early 2026 table a proposal for a sweeping prohibition on Russian pipeline oil, crude and refined, intconcludeed to take effect “no later than conclude-2027,” according to EU governments.
Even after Moscow slashed supplies, Europe still transferred nearly €10 billion to Russia for natural-gas deliveries last year. The relationship dates back to 1968, when Austria first tapped Soviet fields via pipeline. Germany soon followed, ushering in decades of deepening energy interdepconcludeence. At its peak, Russia supplied about 40% of EU gas demand, roughly 140 billion cubic metres, or the equivalent of more than 1,400 LNG cargoes.
“We will never go back to energy blackmail and economic exposure,” Dan Jørgensen, the EU’s energy commissioner, stated in a statement.
Entities found breaching the ban will face penalties of €40 million, 300% of the transaction value or 3.5% of annual turnover, with national authorities choosing which sanction to apply. Importers of gas that could be of Russian origin – based on a Commission-managed list – will also be required to seek pre-authorisation five days in advance.
EU countries may request a four-week suspension of the ban, subject to Commission approval following an assessment.
(cz)
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