EU Aims to Forcefully Push for Russian Energy Ban: Fully Halt Imports of Russian Gas by the End of 2027

After facing opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, the European Commission is preparing to proceed with its plan to "fully halt imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027" on Tuesday, and will take legal measures to ensure the smooth implementation of the plan.

The European Commission had previously formulated an energy roadmap, hoping to end dependence on Russian natural gas through legal means. This is a response to the international situation following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as an effort to enhance its own energy security and promote energy transition.

According to CCTV reports, on Monday local time, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungary and Slovakia jointly vetoed a proposal at the EU Council of Energy Ministers meeting held that day, which called for the European Commission to make progress on the "plan to terminate imports of Russian energy" by June.

Szijjártó pointed out that the veto aimed to demonstrate to the EU that the government cannot allow Hungary to bear energy security risks. He added that the EU's plan to require member states to eliminate their dependence on Russian energy would cause a significant surge in domestic natural gas prices in Hungary if implemented.

It is reported that the European Commission next plans to stipulate through legal means that the import of Russian pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas will be banned from January 1, 2026, although the expiration dates of certain contracts will be later.

The European Commission's proposal also mentions that short-term Russian natural gas contracts signed before June 17, 2025, will have a one-year transition period ending on June 17, 2026.

Longer-term natural gas import contracts will also be banned, with a deadline of January 1, 2028, which is also the date when the EU will completely cease using Russian natural gas.

Dan Jørgensen, the EU's Energy Commissioner, stated on Monday that the EU's ban measures will have sufficient legal force to allow companies to invoke the "force majeure" clause to legally terminate their natural gas contracts with Russia without facing legal risks.

Jørgensen claimed: "Since this is an energy ban, companies will not face legal issues as a result. This is force majeure, just like sanctions."

Bypassing the Veto Power

Slovakia and Hungary have consistently sought to maintain close political and economic ties with Russia, and are still importing Russian natural gas through pipelines. They have stated that switching to alternative energy sources would increase energy costs and economic burdens.

They have vowed to block sanctions on Russian energy, which typically require the unanimous consent of all EU member states.

EU officials have stated that in order to bypass this issue, the European Commission plans to adopt a new legal procedure that does not require the unanimous consent of all countries, but rather the support of a "qualified majority" of member states and the European Parliament to pass.

Although most EU member states have expressed support for the natural gas ban, officials claim that some natural gas importing countries have expressed concerns about the risk of economic penalties or arbitration faced by companies due to breach of contract.

"We fully support this plan in principle, with the aim of ensuring that we find the right solution and provide the maximum level of security for companies," French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci said on Monday.