EU Energy Ministers Convene in Luxembourg to Advance Russian Gas Phase-Out

Ministers Gather to Solidify Russian Gas Ban

Luxembourg – European Union Energy Ministers convened today, October 20, 2025, in Luxembourg to approve the Council's general approach on the RePowerEU regulation. The central objective of this meeting is to formalize a strategy for the gradual phase-out of natural gas imports from Russia, a move aimed at bolstering the EU's energy independence and security.

The proposed regulation is a key component of the roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports, initially issued by the European Commission in May 2025. It seeks to introduce new rules governing gas and oil imports from Russia to EU Member States. A full prohibition on Russian gas imports, encompassing both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), is anticipated to be in place by January 1, 2028.

RePowerEU: A Strategic Response to Energy Dependency

The RePowerEU Plan was initially launched in May 2022 as a direct response to the energy market disruptions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Its overarching goal is to reduce the EU's dependency on Russian fossil fuels. While significant progress has been made, with Russian gas imports falling from 45% in 2021 to 19% in 2024, a rebound in imports during 2024 underscored the need for further decisive action.

The current legislative proposal, adopted by the Commission in June 2025, aims to address this by setting clear timelines for the cessation of imports. Specifically:

• New contracts for Russian gas and existing spot contracts are expected to be banned by the end of 2025.
• Short-term contracts signed before June 17, 2025, and unchanged thereafter, will be banned from June 17, 2026.
• Long-term contracts signed before June 17, 2025, will be phased out by January 1, 2028.

Dan Jørgensen, the EU's Energy Commissioner, emphasized the clear message to Russia: 'You will no longer blackmail our Member States. Not one more euro to your war chest. Your gas will be banned.'

Addressing Challenges and Broader Energy Goals

The discussions in Luxembourg also touched upon potential challenges, including a 'security of supply' loophole in the current draft that could allow certain landlocked countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, to suspend the ban indefinitely. The European Parliament has advocated for stricter rules, including ending long-term contracts a year earlier than initially proposed and introducing sanctions for non-compliance.

Beyond the immediate focus on Russian gas, ministers also discussed the crucial role of electrification as a driver for the EU's competitive and clean transition. This aligns with the broader goals of the RePowerEU Plan, which includes accelerating the deployment of renewables, improving energy efficiency, and diversifying energy supplies. Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment, Sari Multala, highlighted the interconnectedness of the clean transition and energy security, stating, 'Emission reduction solutions of the clean transition enhance both energy security and our competitiveness.'

The agreement on the Council's general approach today marks a significant step towards the EU's ambition to achieve full energy independence from Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027.