Press remarks by Commissioner Jørgensen on the REPowerEU proposal to phase out Russian gas imports and improve monitoring of potential energy dependencies

Today, the EU shows resolve. Today, we take action. Today, we have decided to close the tap on Russian gas.

For too long, our energy dependencies have hurt Europe and helped Russia.

This will no longer stand. This needs to change.

There is a saying: “less is more”. And today, that saying could not be more true.

Because the less energy we import from Russia, the more security and independence we will have in Europe.

The less money we spend on Russia's fossil fuels, the more we can invest in our own clean, green, secure, and affordable energy.

So today the message is clear: less is more – less energy from Russia, more power for Europe.

Russia has repeatedly put at risk Europe's energy security.

Cutting off energy ties with Russia is an absolute must.

With this legislative proposal, we decide our energy future.

This means no more Russian fossil fuels in our markets by the end of 2027.

The legislation that the European Commission proposes today is unprecedented and forceful.

We introduce a full import ban on Russian gas in a step-wise approach:

First, imports under new contracts, will be banned as of end of this year.

At a later stage, we phase out all remaining imports under existing contracts, including long-term ones. 

This will lead to a full phaseout of Russian gas by the end of 2027.

To minimise risks of circumvention of the ban, we will also introduce a system to trace and monitor Russian gas across EU markets.

Importers will have to provide customs authorities with information concerning the origin of the gas, the identity of the supplier, as well as entry and delivery points for supplies of LNG.

The Commission will also get a full picture of the market by getting access to supply contracts information. This will make our ban effective.

I want to stress is that this phase-out will be gradual and well-coordinated with the Member States.

We don't want to put unnecessary burden or risks on our companies.

A key instrument for this will be the national diversification plans.

Each Member State will set out measures and timelines for a well-managed phaseout.

The Commission will stand by them, and work with them, every step of the way.

One month ago, we set out this roadmap. Today, with these concrete actions, we start building the road.  

The road to a more independent Europe. To a more competitive economy. To a more stable and secure society.

And most of all, to a stronger and more sustainable future – powered by our own clean, green, secure, and affordable energy.

Thank you.