EU leaders had in the Versailles Declaration of March 2022, reduce dependency on Russia energy imports in a phased manner, after the Russia-Ukraine war erupted in February that year.
Published: October 21, 2025 10:37 PM IST
Russia-Ukraine war: In a major setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort against Ukraine, European Union countries have unanimously reached an agreement to ban all energy imports from Russia from January 1, 2028. According to a statement by the European Council, energy ministers of almost all EU countries voted in favour of a European proposal to ban Russian energy imports.
Why EU plans to ban Russian oil imports?
The draft regulation, which applies to both pipeline oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), was introduced in a meeting of the European Council in Luxembourg held on October 20, and is a key element of the EU’s REPowerEU roadmap to end dependency on Russian energy, following “Russia’s weaponisation of gas supplies” and “repeated disruptions of gas supplies to the EU with significant effects on the European energy market,” it said.
According to the statement, the Council confirmed that imports of Russian gas will be prohibited from January 2026, while maintaining a transition period for existing short term contracts from June 2026 whereas long-term contracts may run until January 1, 2028.
In a statement, Lars Aagaard, Energy minister of Denmark, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency called the proposal a “crucial” step to make Europe energy independent. “Although we have worked hard and pushed to get Russian gas and oil out of Europe in recent years, we are not there yet,” he said.
The Danish minister said the proposal to “definitively ban” Russian gas and oil imports from coming into the EU has received “overwhelming support” from Europe’s energy ministers.
The final text of the draft regulation will be adopted following negotiations in the European Parliament, which is set to begin soon.
How dependent is EU on Russia energy imports?
Notably, EU leaders had in the Versailles Declaration of March 2022, reduce dependency on Russia energy imports in a phased manner, after the Russia-Ukraine war erupted in February that year.
Consequently, Russian gas and oil imports to the EU have significantly decreased, but while oil imports from Moscow dropped to dropped to below 3 percent in 2025, Russian gas still accounts for an estimated 13 per cent of EU imports in 2025. The Council believes this leaves the EU vulnerable to significant risks in terms of its trade and energy security.
To address this vulnerability, in May 2025, the Commission adopted the REPowerEU roadmap to ensure a stepwise approach to the phasing out of the remaining Russian energy imports and to boost the EU’s energy independence and security, and in June, put forth a proposal focusing on a gradual phasing out of the remaining pipeline gas and LNG, with a full prohibition by 1 January 2028.
‘Russia only understands strength’
Earlier this month, EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the need for put pressure on Russia to force Moscow to the negotiating table. “Russia only negotiates when put under pressure” Kallas said in Luxembourg where EU foreign minister had gathered on October 20, adding that the EU is working towards adopting its 19th package of sanctions.
Ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday Kallas hailed US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but asserted that Russia will not negotiate until it is put under pressure. “We see President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. Of course, all these efforts are welcome, but we don’t see Russia really wanting peace. Russia only understands strength and only negotiates when it’s really put to negotiate. So right now we don’t see it yet,” he said.
The top EU diplomat claimed that Ukraine was ready for an “unconditional ceasefire” but Vladimir Putin will not negotiate because he “only understands strength”.
“Ukraine has been ready for an unconditional ceasefire already since February, but Russia has no genuine interest in peace. We all support President Trump’s efforts to end the war, but Putin will only negotiate seriously if he thinks he is losing,” Kallas said in press remarks after the meeting of European foreign ministers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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