What’s wrong with the EU plan to cut Russian energy imports and what should Ukraine do
On 6 May, the European Commission published its long-awaited Roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports.
The document outlines the political framework for a gradual reduction of the European Union’s dependence on imports of Russian energy resources – not only gas and oil but also nuclear materials – by the end of 2027.
Read more about the shortcomings of this Roadmap in the column by Oleh Savytskyi, founder of the NGO Razom We Stand – A blow to Russia or mere pretense? How the EU plans to abandon Russian energy.
According to the author, the Roadmap’s staged withdrawal from Russian gas imports contains vague wording that could potentially allow continued trade in Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the spot (short-term) market until the end of 2025. This creates strategic risks that require thorough examination.
The document confirms that in 2024, Russian gas accounted for 19% of the EU’s total imported gas, down from 45% in 2021.
"This sharp decline was achieved thanks to the REPowerEU initiatives, accelerated rollout of renewable energy sources, improved energy efficiency, and supply diversification," notes Savytskyi.
Nevertheless, the expert points out that continued voluntary and non-binding spot market purchases have increased Russia’s revenues from energy exports, which, according to the European Commission, amounted to €23 billion in 2024.
The European Commission’s introduction of a phased reduction in Russian gas imports, Savytskyi highlights, is explained by existing long-term contracts and infrastructure dependencies.
"In this context, a potential decision to postpone a ban on spot market operations with Russian LNG until the end of 2025 could send the wrong signals to both European energy companies and the Kremlin," says the Razom We Stand campaign director.
He argues that the continuation of these short-term voluntary gas purchases undermines the strategic and moral goals of the Roadmap.
"Additionally, in our recent analytical report "Getting Rid of Russian Gas Dependency in EU Member States: A Case-by-Case Approach," we propose detailed, country-specific roadmaps for phasing out Russian gas imports in the short term," Savytskyi notes.
The report concludes that, with political will and technical support, the goal of a Russia-free European gas market by the end of 2025 is achievable.
The author emphasises that from Ukraine’s perspective, the consequences of delay are unequivocal.
"Revenues from gas and oil exports continue to finance Russia’s military aggression, including attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian energy infrastructure," the expert reminds.
He calls on Ukrainian stakeholders, including the government, industry and civil society, to continue engaging with EU institutions and Member States to advocate for an immediate ban on Russian gas spot market purchases in summer 2025; full transparency of all gas supply contracts; enhanced enforcement against sanctions evasion; financial and technical support for Member States phasing out Russian supply chains.