• EU plans to phase out Russian gas imports by January 2028.
• New contracts for Russian gas will be prohibited starting January 1, 2026.
• Only Hungary and Slovakia opposed the regulations during voting.

The European Union has taken decisive steps to end its reliance on Russian energy, with energy ministers agreeing to gradually phase out gas imports from the country by January 2028. The approved regulations will prohibit new contracts for Russian gas starting January 1, 2026, and existing short-term contracts until June 2026, alongside long-term agreements lasting until January 2028, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The resolution aims to curtail Russian gas imports, which currently account for 13% of the EU's gas imports, valued at over €15 billion annually. This initiative is a part of the EU's broader strategy to ensure energy independence following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as stated by Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s energy minister, who highlighted the need for a "crucial step" to secure Europe’s energy future, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

Despite general support, Hungary and Slovakia opposed the measures, citing concerns over energy security, particularly due to their geographical reliance on Russian gas imports. Budapest’s top diplomat described the regulation as potentially “killing” their safe supply of energy, which reflects their challenging position within the EU's energy reforms, according to Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera.

The EU is also negotiating a package aimed at accelerating the phase-out of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia by January 2027, in response to geopolitical pressures and ongoing sanctions discussions, reinforcing the bloc's commitment to reducing dependence on Russian energy, as highlighted by Anadolu Agency and South China Morning Post.