As Europe navigates the complex terrain of energy security, geopolitics and climate action, the announcement by the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to phase out imports of Russian natural gas marks a pivotal moment. Under the initiative called REPowerEU, the bloc plans to end all imports of Russian pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2027.
A Strategic Recalibration
Europe’s reliance on Russian gas has been dramatically reduced since 2021 when roughly 45 percent of its imports originated from Russia. By 2025 this share was still estimated at about 13 percent and worth over 15 billion euros annually. The REPowerEU roadmap asserts that by phasing out these imports, Europe will achieve greater energy independence, reduce exposure to Russian geopolitical leverage and support its transition to cleaner energy sources.
Implications for the Energy Market and Geopolitics
This decision sends a strong signal that the EU intends not merely to diversify its gas supplies but to sever a long established link with a major supplier whose geopolitical posture has been increasingly adversarial. The measure also heightens pressure on Russia’s state revenues derived from fossil fuel exports. In practical terms, EU member states will need to accelerate investment in alternative supplies, including LNG from non Russian sources, as well as bolster infrastructure, storage and interconnectivity. The regulatory framework enshrined by the Council’s negotiating position outlines the prohibition of new Russian contracts from 1 January 2026, short term contract flows ending mid 2026 and long term ones by 1 January 2028.
Varying Readiness and Internal Tensions
The phase out timetable exposes divergent dependencies among member states and resulting political friction. Landlocked nations such as Slovakia and Hungary have expressed strong reservations, citing risks to supply security, rising prices and sovereignty concerns. Slovakia’s Prime Minister labelled the plan “absolutely unacceptable” and highlighted a 2034 Russian supply contract as leverage for compensation, according to AP News. These internal divisions mean that while the legislation will proceed under a qualified majority, compromises including national diversification plans and transitional exemptions are embedded in the text, according to the Council of the European Union.
Green Transition Meets Urgency
From a climate and energy transition perspective, the phasing out of Russian gas is not merely market realignment. It is also a catalyst. Recent modelling shows that decoupling from Russian gas accelerates the uptake of renewable electricity, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage technologies in industrial sectors. However, this shift also presents risks such as exposure to higher prices, supply constraints and infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in countries less prepared for rapid diversification.
A Final Note
The EU’s decision to eliminate Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 constitutes both a geopolitical recalibration and a structural transformation of its energy system. While the timeline is ambitious and politically challenging, the measure underscores a long term commitment to energy sovereignty and decarbonisation. Member states’ readiness will vary, and successful implementation hinges on coordinated diversification, infrastructure readiness and mitigation of social and market risks.
