Key Impact Points:
- European Commission will present a legal roadmap in two weeks to phase out all Russian fossil fuels.
- Russian gas imports to the EU have dropped from 45% in 2021 to 18% in 2024.
- New rules may enable EU firms to exit Russian gas contracts without penalties.
EU Plans Final Push to Cut Russian Fossil Fuel Dependence
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Thursday that the EU will publish a detailed roadmap within the next two weeks to phase out all imports of Russian fossil fuels, reaffirming its pledge to sever energy ties with Moscow by 2027.
Energy Shift Already Underway
Speaking at a London energy event co-hosted by the UK government and the International Energy Agency, von der Leyen highlighted progress already made: “Imports of Russian gas have fallen to 18% from around 45% in 2021, but there is still more to be done.”
The shortfall has largely been offset by increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the U.S. and expanded supplies from Norway. “These energy partnerships, including imports of LNG from the United States, remain of strategic importance for the European Union,” she added.
Legal Tools Under Consideration
The upcoming roadmap is expected to include legal mechanisms to accelerate the EU’s energy shift. According to Reuters, the Commission is weighing options such as:
- Banning new gas contracts with Russian suppliers.
- Providing legal justifications for EU firms to break existing Russian gas deals without incurring penalties.
While von der Leyen did not confirm the exact release date, an internal Commission agenda indicates the roadmap is set for publication on May 6.
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