EU Unveils Roadmap to End Dependence on Russian Energy

After a few weeks of break, the College of Commissioners is back to work and presented its REPowerEU Roadmap, a strategy to sever the EU’s energy ties with Russia, marking a significant move toward full energy independence. The REPowerEU Roadmap outlines the phased removal of Russian oil, gas, and nuclear energy while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the Union.

Despite progress under the REPowerEU Plan and sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian gas imports to the EU rebounded in 2024, highlighting the need for further coordinated action. The Commission warns that dependency on Russian energy remains a security threat, leaving Europe vulnerable to economic coercion and price shocks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the urgency: “The war in Ukraine has brutally exposed the risks of blackmail, economic coercion, and price shocks. With REPowerEU, we have diversified our energy supply and drastically reduced Europe’s former dependency on Russian fossil fuels. It is now time to completely cut off our energy ties with an unreliable supplier. Energy coming to our continent should not fund a war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, added: “Today, the EU shows strength and resolution. No more shall you blackmail our Member States. No more shall Euros go into your war chest. Your gas will be banned. Your shadow fleet will be stopped.” He further emphasized that this transition also marks an important step towards energy independence, with the EU focused on producing its own clean, affordable energy rather than importing expensive fossil fuels.

Coordinated Phase-out of Russian Energy

The roadmap outlines a gradual phase-out of Russian energy supplies, with Member States expected to submit national plans by the end of 2025 detailing how they will contribute. By 2030, the EU aims to replace up to 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas, reducing demand by 40-50 billion cubic meters by 2027. At the same time, LNG capacity will increase by 200 billion cubic meters by 2028, five times the current volume of Russian gas imports.

The Commission will introduce measures to prevent new contracts for Russian gas and phase out existing contracts by the end of 2025. This will reduce remaining Russian gas supplies by one-third by the end of this year and eliminate all Russian gas imports by 2027. In addition, the Commission will address Russia’s oil trade, including its so-called “shadow fleet” transporting oil, and implement restrictions on Russian nuclear imports, particularly enriched uranium. The roadmap also includes the European Radioisotopes Valley Initiative, aimed at boosting EU production of medical radioisotopes.

The REPowerEU Roadmap accelerates the EU’s energy transition, focusing on reducing reliance on Russian energy sources while diversifying supply routes and improving infrastructure. New measures will ensure secure and stable energy supplies, and the Commission will continue to prioritize transparency and monitoring of Russian energy in the EU market.

Action to Follow

Legislative proposals will be presented next month, laying the legal framework for the phase-out of Russian energy and further advancing the EU’s energy transition toward a greener, more independent future.

Through this plan, the EU aims to send a strong message to Russia and the world: Europe is determined to end its reliance on Russian energy, safeguarding its security and stability while investing in its own energy independence.