LUXEMBOURG: European Union countries have taken a definitive step towards full energy independence, agreeing to a complete ban on all Russian energy imports—including pipeline oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—starting January 1, 2028.
Energy ministers, meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, voted in favour of a draft regulation that formalises the EU’s resolve to cut off a key source of revenue for Moscow following the Russia-Ukraine war. The measure is a central pillar of the Union’s broader REPowerEU roadmap, which aims to end dependency on Russian energy supplies after repeated disruptions.
The Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, hailed the decision as a momentous achievement. “An energy independent Europe is a stronger and more secure Europe,” Aagaard stated, calling the proposal a “crucial step to make Europe energy independent.”
The vote follows the 2022 Versailles Declaration, where EU leaders first committed to phase out their reliance on Russian fossil fuels “as soon as possible.” Significant progress has already been made, with Russian oil imports having dropped to below 3 per cent of total EU imports in 2025. However, Russian gas still accounts for an estimated 13 per cent of the bloc’s imports this year, highlighting the continued vulnerability the new regulation seeks to eliminate.
Adopted by the European Commission in May, the REPowerEU roadmap provides the strategic framework for this stepwise withdrawal, boosting the EU’s energy security through diversification and a greater push for clean energy sources. The regulation now moves to the European Parliament for final approval, a step widely anticipated to secure the final, legally-binding text.
