Cutting Russian gas for good !

The Renew Europe Group welcomes the adoption by the Committees on International Trade (INTA) and on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of legislation ending Russian gas imports to the European Union. This historic step marks a turning point in Europe's energy independence and security.

Renew Europe has been instrumental in strengthening this legislation through several key amendments. The group pushed for an accelerated timeline, bringing forward the end date for long-term Russian gas contracts from January 2028 to January 2027. Renew Europe also pled for the introduction of penalties for companies that violate the regulation, ensuring strict enforcement and preventing circumvention of the rules.

Our political group fought to expand the scope of the regulation beyond gas to include Russian oil. We also ensured that so-called "landlocked countries" would not receive special exemptions, demonstrating that geographical location is no excuse for continued Russian energy dependence.

Renew Europe emphasizes that viable alternatives to Russian gas exist and can be implemented successfully. European solidarity and technical solutions, supported by EU institutions and member states, make this transition entirely feasible. Baltic states and other countries in the region have already demonstrated that breaking free from Russian energy is possible without disruption.

Ľubica Karvašová (Progressive Slovakia), Renew Europe shadow rapporteur for INTA, emphasized: "Today, 16 October 2025, is a key day for the future of Europe’s energy independence. A broad pro-European majority in the European Parliament recognises this from the onset. We in Renew Europe and Progressive Slovakia are ready to adapt to the new reality, unlike Prime Ministers Fico and Orbán, who live in both denial and the past. We see successful cases of transition from Russian gas in Central Europe and in the Baltic states as well. We are prepared for the present and for the future - without Russian gas."

This successful transition from Russian gas, already achieved by several member states, demonstrates that the EU-wide phase-out is both achievable and necessary.

Katri Kulmuni (Centre Party, Finland), Renew Europe shadow rapporteur for ITRE, added: "At last, we have set clear boundaries for phasing out Russian gas in the EU. The EU must free itself from all dependencies, financing Putin's war through energy imports must come to an end. I want to thank the groups that supported the compromise, the vote in the committee was clear. Now it's time to act."

Renew Europe remains committed to eliminating all Russian energy dependencies, protecting Europe's security, and ensuring a sustainable energy future for all Europeans.