The European Union has released a comprehensive roadmap to eliminate Russia’s dependence on energy, in a critical move to ensure its long-term energy sovereignty.
Repowereu’s roadmap presents a staged and coordinated plan to halt imports of Russia’s gas, oil and nuclear materials, maintaining a stable energy supply and prices throughout the block.
This shift is one of the most important geopolitical and economic turning points in the EU energy history as it seeks to protect itself from the vulnerabilities exposed by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Ursula von der Reyen of the EU Commission explained: “The war in Ukraine brutally exposed the risks of terrifying mail, economic coercion and price shocks.
“Now is the time for Europe to completely cut off energy connections with unreliable suppliers, and the energy that comes to our continent should not pay for the war of attack on Ukraine.
How the EU began cutting ties with Russian energy
The foundation of the current roadmap was set in May 2022 with the launch of the Repowereu Project, developed in response to the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
The plan aims to significantly reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian energy by accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and diversifying sources.
The EU has made great strides ever since. Russian gas imports fell sharply from 150 billion cubic meters in 2021 to 52 billion cubic meters in 2024, with EU dependence down from 45% to just 19%.
Russia’s oil imports plummeted from 27% to 3%, but Russian coal is completely banned under sanctions.
Also progress has been made in the nuclear sector, where EU countries using Russian-designed VVER reactors have begun switching to alternative fuel providers.
Adjusted phase-out
Despite these advances, 2024 saw a temporary rebound in Russian gas imports, prompting a new urgency.
The committee’s new roadmap sets out clear measures to permanently cut off energy ties with Russia in a safe and coordinated way.
Each EU member state will need to submit a national plan by the end of 2025, which outlines how it will contribute to the end of Russia’s gas, oil and nuclear fuel imports.
To strengthen this process, the committee will introduce binding measures in the coming months. These include banning new contracts for Russian gas in both pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) forms by the end of this year, and ending all existing spot contracts by 2025.
The goal is to halt all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027. Meanwhile, further restrictions on Russian nuclear materials, including enriched uranium, are expected and new control over contracts managed through the Euratom supply agency.
Building a resilient, diverse energy future
The roadmap outlines how the EU will ensure energy stability during this transition. Global LNG capacity is projected to increase significantly by 2028, with the EU forecasting to reduce natural gas demand up to 100 billion cubic meters by 2030.
Together, these developments will help replace Russian gas without risking the reliability and affordability of the energy supply.
The EU will also continue to invest in renewable energy, improve infrastructure and consolidate gas demand across member countries.
These procedures are designed to maintain stability and prevent disruption in the market during the transition away from Russia’s energy.
Nuclear and Oil: Block the remaining links
In addition to fossil fuels, the EU will target the remaining links in its nuclear supply chain with Russia.
This includes the proposed measures to limit the imports of abundant uranium and the establishment of the European Radioisotope Valley Initiative to increase the self-sufficiency of the block in key medical isotopes.
The committee also intends to crack down on the so-called Russian Shadow Fleet, which is being used to avoid oil sanctions.
The turning point in EU energy policy
The European Commission’s roadmap represents a strategic and irreversible shift from Russia’s energy and strengthens the EU’s commitment to energy independence, climate goals and geopolitical resilience.
A legislative proposal is scheduled for next month, setting the stage for what could be a historic transformation of European energy landscapes.
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