The European Union continues its active policy of gradually phasing out Russian energy resources from its markets. According to the chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Dana Spinant, since the onset of the full-scale war by Russia against Ukraine, the EU has launched a comprehensive strategy to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and oil. These steps are now taking on clearer legislative form, allowing for a move towards a complete cessation of the remaining imports of energy resources from Russia.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Plan to Phase Out Russian Energy Resources
The EU has set an ambitious goal for itself – to completely halt imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027. The corresponding plan was developed long before former US President Donald Trump voiced demands to NATO countries to stop purchasing energy resources from Russia as a condition for imposing “serious” American sanctions against Russia.
“The gradual phase-out of Russian fossil fuels is something we have been actively working on for several years since the start of the war. We have a very clear roadmap, and now even a clear legislative proposal, to gradually eliminate the remaining gas that is still coming to the EU… So this is something that has been ongoing for some time, with a clear roadmap and a defined timeline,” Spinant noted.
New Sanctions and the Pace of Import Reduction
The European Commission confirms that the upcoming, 19th package of sanctions against Russia may include a provision for an accelerated phase-out of Russian energy resources. At the same time, the details of this package remain confidential until the official presentation. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill emphasized that issues regarding the use of a shadow fleet and the involvement of third countries in sanction evasion schemes are also being considered.
According to European Council President António Costa, as of early September 2025, consumption of gas and oil from Russia in the EU has already decreased by 80%. The majority of the remaining 20% is accounted for by Hungary, which continues to import energy resources from Russia.
According to an internal EU document provided to Reuters, the governments of EU countries insist on keeping the details of the phased phase-out of energy resources from Russia secret until the end of 2027. Meanwhile, the European Commission already proposed a detailed plan in June that includes a phase-out not only of pipeline gas but also of liquefied gas from Russia.
Recently, former US President Donald Trump emphasized that he is ready to impose new sanctions against Russia only if all NATO members stop purchasing Russian oil. However, the EU reminds that their plan to phase out Russian energy resources is already being implemented regardless of external pressure and has clearly defined timelines.