Long-overdue plan to end Russian energy dependence

The European Commission's roadmap to eliminate dependence on Russian gas, oil, and nuclear energy, which was presented today, is a long-overdue step that the Greens/EFA Group has consistently advocated for. The Greens/EFA Group welcomes the commitment to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027 through legally binding measures.

MEP Ville Niinistö, Greens/EFA coordinator in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), comments:

“This is a long-overdue breakthrough the Greens/EFA Group have long fought for. The EU is finally committing to end its toxic dependence on Russian fossil fuels. For far too long, Europe financed Putin’s war machine through gas imports that funded the invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin used energy as a weapon to destabilise democracies. This proposal makes clear those days are coming to an end.

“We welcome the Commission’s plan to ban new short-term Russian gas contracts by the end of this year and to phase out existing long-term contracts by 2027. These commitments must now become binding law enforced in all EU member states, without loopholes or delays. Additionally, cutting ties with Putin must not mean forging new ones with other autocrats.

“Replacing Russian energy with fossil fuels or nuclear energy from other authoritarian regimes is not the answer. The path to true energy independence lies in renewables, energy savings, and a resilient electricity grid. We urge the European Commission to now focus on sustainable solutions.

“Real energy security means ramping up renewables, slashing energy waste and expanding the grid. We need a clean and sovereign energy system that breaks Europe’s fossil fuel addiction once and for all. That is also an energy system that creates more added value to our European economies and increases the resilience of our societies while protecting our democratic values.”