European Commission Pushes for Full Ban on Russian Gas Supplies

The European Commission is developing a plan to eliminate all Russian fossil fuels from the EU market, aiming to halt gas supplies that continue despite ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on Moscow.

European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen confirmed the initiative, stating that the plan, or roadmap, for the EU’s complete phase-out of Russian fossil fuels is currently in progress.

Speaking at a press briefing in Brussels on January 20, she emphasized that this initiative was announced as a priority for the Energy Commission within the first 100 days of its mandate, with the deadline fast approaching.

The EU has already implemented significant measures to reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources.

According to Itkonen, the bloc has eliminated Russian coal imports, curtailed most oil imports, and reduced Russian gas imports by more than two-thirds. However, she acknowledged that despite these achievements, Russian gas remains present in the EU market.

"We have cut all Russian coal imports, most of Russian oil imports and over two-thirds of Russian gas," Itkonen said.

Addressing this issue is a key focus of the forthcoming roadmap, which is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Despite previous commitments to reducing reliance on Russian energy, European gas imports from Russia have surged to record levels in 2025.

This has funneled billions of dollars into the Kremlin’s economy just weeks after the expiration of a critical transit agreement, which had initially raised expectations that the EU could sever its dependence on Moscow.

Earlier, on February 5, Ukrainian forces targeted the Albashneft oil depot in Krasnodar Krai. The refinery, located near the Ukrainian-Russian border, processed 2.7 million barrels of crude oil annually, supplying fuel for Russia’s military operations.