FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE — The European Commission on Tuesday unveiled a legislative proposal to end all Russian natural gas and oil imports to the European Union by the end of 2027.
The draft regulation, part of the Commission’s REPowerEU Roadmap, prohibits new contracts for Russian gas starting Jan. 1, 2026, and mandates the termination of existing short-term agreements by June 17, 2026. Long-term pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts with Russian suppliers would be allowed to continue only until the end of 2027.
EU member states must submit diversification plans outlining specific measures and milestones for phasing out Russian energy imports, the Commission said in a press release. They will also be required to report Russian gas volumes and contractual obligations, including LNG shipments, to improve transparency and enforcement.
The plan also targets Russian oil, setting a 2027 deadline for ending imports. While Russian oil’s share of EU imports has dropped from 27 percent in early 2022 to just 3 percent in 2024, the Commission argues that a full cessation is necessary to eliminate residual risks.
The regulation must still be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, requiring a qualified majority for adoption.