From the beginning of the war in Ukraine theEuropean Union It found itself faced with the difficulty of having to manage the energy emergency deriving from the large quantities of gas who came – and in part they still come – imported from Russia. The problem, today, is represented by long -term contracts who still link European companies to Russian gas, with Brussels who would be studying legal options that allow these European subjects the Rexcision of contracts without the payment of heavy penalties in Moscow.
The EU plan for the termination of contracts on Russian gas
As reported by Financial Timeswhich in his time reports the opinion of three EU officials aware of the plan, the European Commission would have the intention of declaring force majeure to allow companies to imports Russian gas Of withdraw their contracts of supply still active. In this way the economic subjects would not be required to pay additional costs in Moscow which, if paid, would frustrate the European intent.
To understand the extent of the problem it is necessary to look at the numbers. Today Russian gas still represents 11% of supplies in the EU countries via the gas pipeline, while in 2022 – the year of the first attack on Ukraine – it was equal to two fifths of the total. However, it should be emphasized that, especially in recent years, the volumes of Gnl (liquefied natural gas) Russian have increased very quickly.
The turning point towards the United States, but be careful of the duties
The operation conducted by the European Commission, which must be said, has been refused to comment on the rumors exhibited by Financial Timeswould fall on the wider EU marching plan that would like thetotal elimination of the Russian fossil fuels By 2027. Everything is also linked to the European will to sign a new energy agreement with States Unitedespecially after the commercial war set by the US President Donald Trump with the duties.
Currently, it is remembered, the United States is already the main supplier of the lock of liquefied natural gas, which makes them the main actor to whom Europe looks to make up for the Russian “deficiencies”.
Russian gas in Europe, the scenario
Fundamental to understand the work of the European Commission is to have a detail of the current scenario. As mentioned, the supply of natural gas Russian It has been reduced to 11% and, according to reports from Energy research center and clean airin the year between February 2024 and February 2025, the EU has provided Russia a total 21.9 billion euros For oil and gas. The latter is not subject to any ban on import, as happens with Russian coal. Finally, as regards oil, the EU has prohibited 90% of Russian imports.
The problems with Hungary and Slovakia
By focusing on the gas, it turns out that in the face of the drop described in European imports from Moscow, in the last three years there has been a 60% increase in the volumes of Russian GNL. Most of the Russian gas that arrives in the EU is interested in theHungary and the Slovakiawith the declaredly Russian thread government of Orban who has already declared that he was not willing to approve any new EU sanctions. It would be a not negligible problem, given that unanimous approval of all 27 member countries are needed.
A situation that is not easy to manage, with mediation and listening to the individual instances that will have to be key points for the realization of the plan which, as mentioned by Ursula von der leyenshould be published within three or four weeks.
