The EU will soon present its plan to phase out Russian oil and gas imports.

The EU intends to unveil a detailed strategy in May for the elimination of Russian oil and gas imports by 2027, driven by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the European Commission has delayed the roadmap’s publication, partly due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs initiated, and then paused, by US President Donald Trump. While Russian pipeline gas supplies have sharply decreased since 2022, the EU increased its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) last year.

The plan, scheduled for presentation on May 6, will include options for decreasing imports of Russian energy resources. The European Commission may propose the use of quotas or tariffs. A complete rejection of Russian gas would lead to increased EU purchases from alternative suppliers, including the US.

EC representative Anna-Kaisa Itkonen emphasized that the EU’s plan to cease importing Russian energy also encompasses halting LNG supplies. Furthermore, the EC is reviewing the bloc’s Russian gas contracts and considering declaring force majeure, which would allow importers to exit their obligations without incurring additional fees.