The reason for this decision, the interlocutors of the agency call the resistance of some governments of the Bloc 'member countries and the uncertainty regarding alternative gas sources for Europe. The European Commission is planning a new road map to stop the EU dependence on Russian energy resources until 2027. They allegedly plan to present it in early May. By June, it is expected to be ready the 17th package of European sanctions against Russia. However, according to officials, “work on measures is moving slowly.”
One of the officials noted that the EC does not want to risk Russian gas due to sanctions against the backdrop of the trade policy of US President Donald Trump. He repeatedly expressed a wish that Europe would buy more American gas, and Europeans see this instrument for negotiations to reduce duties. Whereas the rejection of Russian gas will weaken the EU position in potential negotiations. In addition, Europeans are afraid to get into gas dependence on the United States, the agency notes.
Context
Until a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the aggressor country Russia was the main supplier of gas in the EU, providing more than 40% of imports. After the start of a full -scale invasion in the Russian Federation, Europe began to impose sanctions against it and accelerated the abandonment of Russian energy carriers. In 2023, Russian gas amounted to approximately 8% of the EU imports, reported Bloomberg.
On February 18, 2025, the European Commissioner for Economics and Production, Implementing and Simplification of Valdis Dombrovskis before a meeting of the Council on Economic and Financial Affairs said that The EU will continue its sanctions policy against Russia, even if the United States decides to cancel restrictions.
The latter today, the 16th package of European sanctions against the Russian Federation has been introduced on February 24, on the third anniversary of the beginning of the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine. It included restrictions weakening the military efforts of the country of aggressor of the Russian Federation. The list consists of 83 points, it includes 48 people and 35 organizations responsible for actions that undermine or threaten territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
