European Parliament Considers Accelerating Russian Gas Phaseout to 2027

The European Parliament is considering proposals to accelerate the European Union's planned ban on Russian gas imports from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2027. This initiative, led by MEPs Inese Vaidere of the European People's Party and Ville Niinistö of the Green League, also includes tougher enforcement measures such as imposing sanctions on companies violating the ban, including revoking their energy trading licenses. While EU governments are reportedly unlikely to agree to the accelerated timeline, Parliament may use the proposal as leverage in negotiations to secure additional changes. The plan is part of the European Commission's broader strategy to end all Russian gas and oil imports by the end of 2027, aiming to boost the EU's energy independence and competitiveness. Notably, the final ban requires approval by both the European Parliament and a qualified majority in the EU Council, preventing any single member state, including heavy Russian gas importers like Hungary and Slovakia, from vetoing the decision. Meanwhile, political opposition remains, with some countries, such as Hungary, calling for the EU to drop its ban amid rising geopolitical tensions.