EU Commits to Russian Oil Phase-Out by 2028 Amid Member Opposition

The European Union is considering accelerating its plan to phase out Russian oil and gas imports, moving the target date earlier than the currently planned 2027-2028 timeline, as part of a new sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for more sanctions, highlighting the EU’s efforts to coordinate with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged European leaders to stop buying Russian oil and to impose tariffs on China and India to further pressure Moscow. While the EU has already banned seaborne crude oil imports from Russia and implemented a price cap, some member states such as Hungary and Slovakia oppose accelerating the phase-out due to concerns over rising energy costs, especially since they rely significantly on Russian oil imports. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the 2028 phase-out date but noted the bloc could proceed without unanimous member state approval if necessary. The EU’s reliance on Russian gas is also decreasing, expected to drop to around 13% this year from about 45% before the 2022 invasion. The EU is preparing legal proposals for approval by member states’ energy ministers, aiming to formalize the gradual elimination of Russian energy imports.