Brussels enjoys talking about ending its reliance on Russia, but has dropped the idea of banning the European Union’s imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG)—and not for the first time. The fact that influential member states France, Spain, and Belgium account for nearly 90% of all EU LNG imports will have more than a little to do with the decision.
The Commission is instead working on a vague roadmap to “end the bloc’s reliance on Russian energy” by 2027, according to Reuters. But its senseless Green Deal means this cannot be done by relying on Europe’s own plentiful—though increasingly unharnessed—resources.
The ban was supposed to come in the form of fresh sanctions in the EU’s 17th package, which must be presented by June. A possible LNG sanctions package against Russia was first floated by Brussels officials in May last year and has remained in the realm of talk since.
Far from turning their backs on Russia, European countries have actually increased their imports of its LNG—reportedly by as much as 18% in 2024.
One Brussels official told reporters that the EU will buy more American gas if it means President Donald Trump will drop his tariffs against the bloc, talks on which currently appear to be going nowhere. But they are unwilling to ban Russian imports right away for fear this would destroy their negotiating power over the U.S.—essentially by making the bloc desperate.
Details of a supposed plan to reduce EU reliance on Russian energy are due out in early May.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
