European Union power ministers on Monday backed a proposal to ban imports of fuel from Russia, boosting the bloc’s efforts to additional lower Russian revenues from power exports and elevating hopes for a conclusion of talks.
“An power impartial Europe is a stronger and safer Europe,” stated Danish Power Minister Lars Aagaard who chaired the talks.
“Though we have now labored laborious and pushed to get Russian fuel and oil out of Europe lately, we aren’t there but,” Aagaard stated.
The settlement on a typical place on the import cease was wanted earlier than the invoice could be finalized with the European Parliament.
EU lawmakers already backed the proposal in a vote final week, which permits them to start out negotiations with capitals.
Aagaard, who might be one of many lead negotiators, stated it is his “clear ambition” to conclude the negotiations earlier than the tip of the yr.
Below the proposal, imports of pipeline fuel and liquefied pure fuel (LNG) from Russia could be completely banned from 2028 on the newest.
The ban to be negotiated with the European Parliament might be adopted by majority vote, which means international locations like Hungary and Slovakia, which import pipeline fuel from Russia, could be outvoted.
It was essential that the initiative “has secured an awesome assist from Europe’s power ministers,” Aagaard stated on Monday.
Parallel efforts are underway for an earlier ban of LNG imports as a part of the EU’s upcoming sanctions package deal on Russia.
Final yr Moscow nonetheless accounted for round a fifth of all fuel imports to the EU with a rising share of LNG, in line with EU figures. Within the first half of 2025 the bloc imported LNG from Russia price nearly €4.5 billion ($5.3 billion).
Sanctions could be adopted as quickly as all 27 EU members conform to the measures with out the involvement of the European Parliament, making the legislative course of faster.
Punitive sanctions on Russia are nevertheless non permanent and should be lifted as soon as the warfare in Ukraine is over and the EU not sees a cause to penalize Moscow.
An settlement between EU international locations and the European Parliament on a ban of pipeline and LNG fuel goals to place a everlasting finish to Russian gas imports.
Katherina Reiche, Germany’s Minister for Financial Affairs and Power, attends the EU Ministers liable for Power assembly in Luxembourg. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa
A view of the EU Ministers liable for Power assembly in Luxembourg. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa
