MEPs make another attempt to abandon oil and gas from russia - media

MEPs are discussing the possibility of an accelerated cessation of imports of russian oil and gas to finally end energy dependence on russia.

This is reported by the portal of the authoritative publication Bloomberg.

"The European Parliament is considering the possibility of accelerating the process of phasing out imports of russian oil and gas to finally sever ties with the former leading supplier," the report says.

The publication notes, citing informed sources, that the European Parliament's industry committee is to vote for amendments to the so-called RePowerEU regulation, including the cessation of imports of russian oil and petroleum products from the beginning of 2026 and a ban on all gas supplies after a year.

This step would align the cessation of gas imports through gas pipelines with the cessation of sea supplies, which is already provided for in the proposed EU sanctions package. As noted, while the sanctions are temporary in nature, the RePowerEU initiative is a separate long-term plan to finally abandon energy dependence on russia.

The global gas market is expected to start moving into surplus in the second half of next year, reducing the risk that the gradual cessation of imports by the EU will put pressure on supplies and lead to higher prices. This has helped to ensure broad political support for a comprehensive and lasting break with russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

Initially, the European Commission proposed to stop gas flows from russia at the end of 2027. However, members of several political groups in the European Parliament have now supported an accelerated cutoff.

According to the amendments to RePowerEU, new purchases of russian gas should be banned from the beginning of next year. Current short-term contracts will be able to operate until mid-June, and long-term ones until January 1, 2027.

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