Germany and the Czech Republic are calling on the EU to do more to cut the last 20% of Russian energy imports. The countries are asking for the creation of a working group to determine ways to gradually stop supplies of Russian gas (including LNG), oil, and nuclear materials that are still flowing to Europe. Brussels has set a goal of ending the EU’s dependence on Russian energy sources by 2027.
Gas exports from the Russian Federation were reduced after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The EU quickly replaced Russian fuel with renewables and gas from other suppliers, but in 2023, the bloc still received 15% of its gas from Russia. Last year, Russia sent more than 15.6 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas to EU ports, which is 37.7% more than in 2021.
“For the sake of our energy sovereignty and security, we must continue to systematically reduce the import of gas, oil, and radioactive materials from Russia,” German and Czech government officials said.