The European Union Confirms Its Commitment to Gradually Stop Russian Energy Imports by 2028

Dan Younsen, the European Union's energy commissioner, confirmed today, Thursday, that the bloc is moving forward with its plan to gradually stop importing Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028, despite increasing American pressure to expedite the end of reliance on Russian energy.

Younsen's remarks came after a meeting he held in Brussels with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, where he emphasized that the European Union is working on legal proposals to prevent signing short-term contracts with Russia starting next year, in a move aimed at a gradual reduction of imports without causing market disruptions.

Younsen stated, "It is a very ambitious plan," noting that the focus is currently on ensuring the approval of member states and the European Parliament for the proposed timeline, while stressing that this path is separate from the European sanctions imposed on Moscow.

In the same context, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Union is considering accelerating the pace of stopping imports of Russian fossil fuels as part of a new sanctions package, amid rising geopolitical tensions.

For his part, a White House official revealed that President Donald Trump asked European leaders last week to stop buying oil from Russia, as part of his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Younsen confirmed that the implementation of the import cessation plan by 2028 must be done in a way that does not lead to price increases or supply disruptions, noting that this requires Europe to increase its imports of liquefied natural gas from the United States to cover the expected gap.