The European Union is dedicated to ending its dependency on Russian energy by ceasing imports of Russian gas, oil, and nuclear energy. This commitment is outlined in the REPowerEU Roadmap, recently presented by the European Commission, which aims to achieve full energy independence and ensure stable supplies and prices across the Union.
“Today the EU shows strength and resolution. The message to Russia is clear: ‘No more shall you blackmail our Member States. No more shall Euros go into your war chest. Your gas will be banned. Your shadow fleet will be stopped.’ We do this to preserve our security. But it is also an important step towards becoming energy independent. Producing our own clean affordable energy instead of importing expensive fossils fuels,” Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, highlighted.
Despite progress made under the REPowerEU Plan and sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian gas imports increased in 2024, highlighting the need for coordinated actions to mitigate security risks associated with this dependency.
“The war in Ukraine has brutally exposed the risks of blackmail, economic coercion and price shocks. With REPowerEU, we have diversified our energy supply and drastically reduced Europe’s former dependency on Russian fossil fuels. It is now time for Europe to completely cut off its energy ties with an unreliable supplier. And energy that comes to our continent should not pay for a war of aggression against Ukraine. We owe this to our citizens, to our companies and to our brave Ukrainian friends,“ said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The roadmap details a methodical approach to gradually eliminate Russian oil, gas, and nuclear energy from EU markets, while prioritising security and market stability. By 2025, global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply is expected to rise, allowing the EU to reduce its natural gas demand by 40 to 50 billion cubic meters by 2027. Concurrently, LNG capacities are anticipated to grow by approximately 200 billion cubic meters by 2028.
Following this roadmap, the Commission will present legislative proposals next month. Member States will be required to draft national plans by year’s end detailing their contributions to phasing out Russian energy imports. Proposed measures will also enhance transparency and monitoring of gas supplies, while banning new contracts for Russian gas and aiming for a complete cessation of such imports by the end of 2027.
Additionally, new actions will address Russia’s shadow fleet transporting oil, and proposals concerning nuclear energy will include restrictions on enriched uranium imports and new supply contracts with the Euratom Supply Agency. A European Radioisotopes Valley Initiative is also planned to increase domestic production of medical radioisotopes.
