EU to keep ban on Russian gas imports even after peace deal in Ukraine
EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen said the ban on Russian energy imports, due to take effect in 2027, will remain in place even if Russia and Ukraine sign a peace agreement.
Yulduz Salimov2 min read
The European Union will keep its ban on imports of Russian energy resources, which is due to take effect in 2027, even if Russia and Ukraine conclude a peace agreement. As the Hungarian business daily Világgazdaság reported, citing the position of the European regulator, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen made this statement in a Vienna interview with 444.hu.
"I would definitely not trust Russia, even if peace came tomorrow, on which we all hope," Jørgensen said.
He also commented on the words of Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar that after the end of the EU conflict, Russian gas purchases could resume because they are cheaper.
Jørgensen also noted that Europe remains vulnerable due to its dependence on energy imports. According to him, the current winter may prove difficult: market instability and a shortage of fuel could lead to rising prices. In the long term, the EU intends to develop renewable energy, nuclear energy and electrification.
Slovakia opposes the ban on Russian gas imports. On 26 October, Slovak parliament speaker Tibor Gašpar said the country is trying to challenge the decision of the European Commission. According to him, Bratislava believes the EU's energy policy should take into account the specifics of individual countries and not place an excessive burden on their economies.
Earlier, on 6 October, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Russian gas imports into the EU had fallen from 45% to 12%, and that by the end of the year they would drop to 0%. According to her, this became possible thanks to decisions taken by European countries in 2022. Von der Leyen considered that the EU is now in a less vulnerable position.
Source: vedomosti.ru
