The European Union finalised an agreement on Wednesday to terminate all imports of Russian gas by late 2027, marking a major escalation in efforts to sever energy ties with Moscow.
The European Commission, Parliament, and Council approved the phased ban, which ends short-term contracts within six months, prohibits new transit deals from January 2026, and halts remaining pipeline and LNG supplies by September 30, 2027.
The decision advances the bloc's push for energy independence amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine, though it drew sharp opposition from landlocked member states citing risks to affordability and supply stability.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the deal during a press briefing on Wednesday. "This is a good day for Europe and for our independence from Russian fossil fuels," von der Leyen stated, according to a Commission release.
"This is how we make Europe resilient," she added, highlighting the agreement's safeguards like temporary suspension clauses for supply disruptions.
Opposition emerged prominently from Hungary and Slovakia, which depend heavily on Russian pipeline gas. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto declared the plan "unworkable" for Budapest, vowing to contest it at the European Court of Justice.
"Hungary cannot accept or implement the EU decision to end Russian energy imports," Szijjarto said in a public statement. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico echoed these concerns, noting his government would explore legal challenges due to the country's geographic vulnerabilities.
Russia responded swiftly to the EU's move. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the bloc would shift to "gas that costs significantly more than Russian gas."
Peskov argued the policy would erode EU economic competitiveness by inflating energy prices and slowing industrial output.
