Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has unequivocally ruled out the possibility of resuming purchases of Russian fossil fuels following the conclusion of the war in Ukraine, asserting that such a move would constitute a "mistake of historic dimensions" for Europe.
During her address to lawmakers in Strasbourg on Wednesday morning, von der Leyen stated, "To be very clear: the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end." Her strong position comes amid former President Donald Trump's efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, which have seen the White House adopt some of the Kremlin's narratives, including claims regarding Crimea and occupied territories.
Speculation has arisen that Russian energy resources could be included in any potential settlement due to the significant role that fossil fuel exports play in Moscow's economy and President Vladimir Putin's desire to stabilize it. Historically, the EU was Russia's largest client, but this relationship collapsed in early 2022 following Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since that time, the EU has implemented unprecedented measures to reduce its consumption of Russian fossil fuels, including sweeping bans on coal and seaborne oil.
As US officials have suggested sanctions relief as a potential incentive for Putin to agree to a long-term ceasefire—an offer he has so far rejected—there is growing scrutiny of the EU's own restrictions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has indicated that the evolving relationship between Washington and Moscow may impact the future of the Nord Stream pipelines that connect Russia and Germany, which are currently inactive. Lavrov remarked in late March, "It will probably be interesting if the Americans use their influence on Europe and force it not to refuse Russian gas."
On Wednesday, von der Leyen firmly drew a "red line," stating, "Some are still saying that we should reopen the tap of Russian gas and oil. This would be a mistake of historic dimensions. And we will never let it happen." She emphasized Russia's unreliability as a supplier, recalling past instances where Putin cut gas flows to Europe in 2006, 2009, 2014, 2021, and throughout the ongoing war. "Dependency on Russia is not only bad for our security, but also for our economy. Our energy prices cannot be dictated by a hostile neighbor," she added.
Despite collective efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy, some Russian fossil fuels continue to enter the EU's economy. In the previous year, the 27 member states collectively spent €23 billion on Russian energy, exceeding the military assistance provided to Ukraine. The importation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has generated controversy, as it has not only persisted but has increased in volume, with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reporting a 9% rise in EU imports of Russian LNG in 2024 compared to 2023. Nearly 90% of these imports were received by France, Spain, and Belgium.
CREA also noted that Russia relies heavily on the EU market for its gas exports, with the EU accounting for 52% of its LNG export revenue. In response to this ongoing situation, the Commission has presented a comprehensive roadmap aimed at eliminating all Russian energy purchases, including LNG, pipeline oil, and nuclear materials, by the end of 2027 at the latest.
The proposed plan includes a ban on imports of Russian gas that would allow EU companies to invoke force majeure and terminate long-term contracts with suppliers, which are typically governed under "take-or-pay" terms that impose significant penalties for non-compliance. Unlike sanctions, which require unanimous agreement and can be subject to national vetoes, bans on Russian gas will be enacted through energy and trade policy, necessitating only a qualified majority. Some countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, have criticized this roadmap, arguing that it could jeopardize the EU's competitiveness.
In her remarks before the European Parliament, von der Leyen reaffirmed her commitment to this strategy, framing it as crucial for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. "We must do our utmost to strengthen Ukraine’s hand. Because we have all seen how Russia negotiates. They bomb. They bully. They bury promises beneath rubble," she stated. "Putin wants to force Ukraine into accepting the unacceptable. So the task we face is to help Ukraine stand strong, defy Putin's intimidation, and engage in peace talks based on its own conditions."
