\n<\/p>\n
European Union energy ministers on Monday backed a proposal to ban imports of gas from Russia, boosting the bloc’s efforts to further cut Russian revenues from energy exports and raising hopes for a conclusion of talks.<\/p>\n
“An energy independent Europe is a stronger and more secure Europe,” said Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard who chaired the talks.<\/p>\n
“Although we have worked hard and pushed to get Russian gas and oil out of Europe in recent years, we are not there yet,” Aagaard said.<\/p>\n
The agreement on a common position on the import stop was needed before the bill can be finalized with the European Parliament.<\/p>\n
EU lawmakers already backed the proposal in a vote last week, which allows them to start negotiations with capitals.<\/p>\n
Aagaard, who will be one of the lead negotiators, said it’s his “clear ambition” to conclude the negotiations before the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Under the proposal, imports of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia would be permanently banned from 2028 at the latest.<\/p>\n
The ban to be negotiated with the European Parliament will be adopted by majority vote, meaning countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which import pipeline gas from Russia, can be outvoted.<\/p>\n
It was crucial that the initiative “has secured an overwhelming support from Europe\u2019s energy ministers,” Aagaard said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Parallel efforts are underway for an earlier ban of LNG imports as part of the EU’s upcoming sanctions package on Russia.<\/p>\n
Last year Moscow still accounted for around a fifth of all gas imports to the EU with a growing share of LNG, according to EU figures. In the first half of 2025 the bloc imported LNG from Russia worth almost \u20ac4.5 billion ($5.3 billion).<\/p>\n
Sanctions can be adopted as soon as all 27 EU members agree to the measures without the involvement of the European Parliament, making the legislative process quicker.<\/p>\n
Punitive sanctions on Russia are however temporary and have to be lifted once the war in Ukraine is over and the EU no longer sees a reason to penalize Moscow.<\/p>\n
An agreement between EU countries and the European Parliament on a ban of pipeline and LNG gas aims to put a permanent end to Russian fuel imports.<\/p>\n