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5h ago

EU Faces Internal Divisions Over Plan to End Russian Energy Imports by 2027

Slovakia and Hungary reject the European Commission's roadmap, citing economic concerns, as U.S.-Russia talks explore potential gas resumption tied to Ukraine peace efforts.

A general view of the Leuna-Harze plant, a producer of chemical industry commodities, at the InfraLeuna industrial site, in Leuna, Germany, April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (not pictured), in Bratislava, Slovakia, April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa
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FILE - Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Overview

  • The European Commission has proposed a two-phase plan to ban new Russian gas contracts by 2025 and phase out all Russian energy imports by 2027.
  • Slovakia and Hungary strongly oppose the plan, with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico calling it 'economic suicide' and vowing to veto the measures.
  • Russian energy still accounted for 19% of the EU's gas supply in 2024, despite a significant decrease from pre-2022 levels when it supplied 45%.
  • The EU's legislative proposals, requiring approval in June, face resistance but cannot be blocked by individual countries due to majority voting rules.
  • Reports indicate U.S. and Russian officials are in preliminary talks about resuming Russian gas flows to Europe as part of potential Ukraine peace negotiations.