The European Commission is preparing to propose a sweeping ban on new Russian gas contracts, aiming to bypass potential vetoes from member states like Hungary and Slovakia by using trade law instead of traditional sanctions mechanisms.
According to a summary of the proposal under discussion, the plan would immediately prohibit companies across the European Union from entering into new contracts for Russian natural gas. Existing contracts for pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) would have to be terminated by 2026, while longer-term agreements would be phased out completely by January 1, 2028.
The proposal, expected to be formally presented on Tuesday, represents a key step in the EU’s broader strategy to cut its dependence on Russian fossil fuels following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian gas, once accounting for around 40% of the bloc’s gas imports, now represents less than 19%.
Legal Route Designed to Avoid Vetoes
The commission’s approach is designed to overcome a longstanding obstacle in EU policymaking: the need for unanimous approval among all member states to enact sanctions. Hungary and Slovakia, both heavily reliant on Russian energy imports, have opposed previous attempts to impose gas-related sanctions.
To circumvent this, the commission plans to anchor the measure in trade legislation rather than foreign policy sanctions. This legal route requires only a qualified majority of member states for adoption. The plan would also invoke provisions in the EU treaties that require energy policy to maintain security of supply.
In recognition of Hungary’s and Slovakia’s dependence on Russian gas, both countries would receive exemptions allowing them to continue existing contracts until 2027, according to officials familiar with the draft.
Enforcement and Oversight
To ensure compliance, companies would be required to provide detailed information to customs authorities, verifying the origin of imported gas. This step is intended to prevent circumvention of the rules through third-country intermediaries or rebranded shipments.
The European Commission’s broader plan, published last month, outlined a complete phase-out of Russian oil and gas imports by 2027. This latest proposal translates that vision into binding legal steps and offers a clear timetable for implementation.
The measures are still being discussed among EU officials and could be subject to revisions before final adoption.
