EU Energy Ministers Back REPowerEU Roadmap, But Unity Falters Over Russian Energy Ban

At a key meeting of the EU’s Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, energy ministers voiced strong support for the European Commission’s REPowerEU roadmap, a strategy aimed at cutting the European Union’s reliance on Russian gas, oil, and nuclear energy. However, divisions among Member States prevented the Council from adopting official conclusions on energy security.

Published earlier in May, the REPowerEU roadmap sets out nine core actions, including a slate of legislative proposals, to permanently remove Russian energy from the EU market. The first of these proposals is expected later this week, with others to follow by the end of June.

Most Ministers welcomed the Commission’s plan, citing the urgent need to strengthen the EU’s energy independence and resilience. Many stressed the importance of rapid legislative progress and called for legal safeguards to manage long-term contracts that could otherwise result in litigation.

However, some Member States flagged the uneven challenges posed by geography and infrastructure. Such as landlocked and energy-isolated Countries who expressed concerns about their ability to transition quickly and called for increased EU support. There was also a mixed response to the proposed nuclear phase-out, with some governments pushing for a slower, more flexible approach.

Presidency Pushes Ahead Despite Blockage

Despite the broad backing, formal Council conclusions were blocked by Hungary and Slovakia, who opposed parts of the Commission’s plan. As a result, the Council was unable to reach a unanimous position on energy security and the phasing out of Russian imports.

Poland’s Secretary of State for Climate and Environment, Krzysztof Bolesta, confirmed the impasse, expressing regret but emphasizing that “a very strong text” had been supported by 25 out of 27 Member States. “The political direction is clear,” Bolesta said, noting that work on legislative proposals would continue regardless of the deadlock.

In response, the Commission confirmed it would move forward with legislation this week, covering Russian oil and gas imports, with nuclear-related proposals to follow.

Energy Union and Infrastructure Prioritized

Alongside the REPowerEU discussion, Ministers endorsed presidency conclusions on strengthening the Energy Union, a long-term vision for a secure, sustainable, and competitive European energy market. The conclusions call for reducing strategic dependencies, investing in interconnections, and streamlining regulation to build a clean and resilient energy system.

The meeting also included updates and briefings on a range of energy-related topics. The European Commission presented its assessment of the final National Energy and Climate Plans, and discussed the future of nuclear power through its Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC).

Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Latvia raised concerns about unfair competition in the EU biofuels market, while Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania called for greater protection of critical energy infrastructure in the EU’s next long-term budget.

Several Central and Eastern European states, including Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, highlighted difficulties in implementing the new Methane Regulation, while Slovenia debriefed Ministers on the recent MED9 Energy and Environment Ministers Meeting. Finally, the incoming Danish Presidency outlined its energy policy priorities for the second half of 2025.

While political support for a Russian energy exit remains strong among most EU countries, Monday’s meeting laid bare the limits of consensus within the Council. As legislative proposals begin to take shape in the coming days, the Commission will be under pressure to deliver a balanced package that meets both political ambition and practical realities on the ground.