Despite official statements, the EU’s complete elimination of Russian gas is problematic.

In the absence of sanctions, it will be difficult for European buyers to terminate gas contracts under force majeure conditions. While a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine may ease sanctions, the European Commission is studying legal options that would allow European companies to invoke force majeure and terminate Russian gas contracts without penalties. However, lawyers and analysts doubt that force majeure approach will be effective. For it to be declared, the supplier must violate the contract, but the remaining Russian suppliers have proven their reliability during the three years of the Russian war against Ukraine. Therefore, imposing sanctions on the import of Russian gas is the most effective measure for the gradual abandonment of the Russian resource.

EC President Ursula von der Leyen has supported the new EU roadmap for a complete ban on Russian energy sources by 2027, emphasizing that the bloc will not return to Russian energy dependence.

However, Slovakia and Hungary do not support the EU roadmap. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico admitted that the country will not be able to prevent the plan’s adoption, but Slovakia has a contract with Gazprom that is valid until 2034 and the consequences of terminating the agreement might be substantial.