Brussels, December 3, 2025 - The European Union has reached a landmark agreement too phase out imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027, marking a significant step towards energy independence from Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The deal, finalized between the European Parliament and the European council, follows years of debate and compromise among member states.
Under the agreement, long-term pipeline contracts for Russian gas will be banned from September 30, 2027, contingent on sufficient gas storage levels, and no later than November 1, 2027. Short-term pipeline contracts must be terminated by June 17,2026. for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), long-term contracts will be prohibited from January 1, 2027, with short-term contracts phased out by april 25, 2026.
“We’ve chosen energy security and independence for Europe. No more blackmail. No more market manipulation by Putin. We stand strong with Ukraine,” stated Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jørgensen affirmed, “Europe will stop importing Russian gas before end 2027…We are sending a clear message to Russia: Europe will never again let its energy supply be used as a weapon.”
The agreement allows European companies to invoke “force majeure” to legally break existing contracts due to the EU import ban.
Despite the breakthrough, challenges remain. While the share of Russian gas in EU imports has decreased from 45 percent in 2021 to 19 percent in 2024, Russia remains a key LNG supplier, providing 20 percent of EU imports – approximately 20 billion cubic meters out of 100 billion cubic meters – second onyl to the United States (45 percent).Switching gas suppliers is also more complex than diversifying oil sources, a process most EU members have already undertaken.
Political hurdles also persist. Hungary and Slovakia, both with close ties to Moscow and high reliance on Russian energy, have historically opposed sanctions on russian energy. The deal mandates the European Commission to develop a plan to close loopholes allowing these two landlocked countries to continue purchasing Russian oil.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto instantly condemned the decision, stating Budapest will challenge the move at the EU’s Court of Justice.Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico indicated his country has grounds to consider legal action, but has not yet committed to filing a lawsuit.
The agreement now requires final approval from the European Parliament and the european Council.
