EU energy ministers support proposal to end imports of Russian oil and gas by end of 2027

EU energy ministers on 20 October approved a proposal to phase out imports of Russian oil and gas for good by the end of 2027 as part of the bloc’s Repower EU plan, according to a Council of the European Union press release.

Under the plans, which still require negotiation with the European Parliament to agree a final text, new contracts for Russian gas imports would be banned from 1 January 2026, existing short-term contracts from 17 June 2026, and long-term contracts from 1 January 2028.

Draft legislation for an earlier implementation of the embargo from 1 January 2027 had been adopted by the European Parliament on 16 October, according to a press release.

In May 2022, the EU launched the Repower EU plan to end imports of Russian fossil fuels — through diversifying supplies, expanding renewable energy, and reducing energy consumption — in response to the February 2022 intensification of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Separately, the bloc has devised 19 packages of sanctions against Russia — including bans on imports of coal, seaborne crude oil, and refined petroleum products.

A full embargo on imports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) by January 2027 was proposed in September as part of the bloc’s nineteenth package of sanctions against Russia.

Unlike the Repower EU legislation, sanctions are temporary in nature and require the unanimous approval of the 27 member bloc, as well as unanimous reapproval every six months.