France and Belgium aren't backing an EU plan to halt Russian pipeline and LNG imports under existing contracts by 2027's end. Both want more reassurances on economic,legal impacts before signing on,according to June 4 report .
The European Commission sees getting all four countries on board as essential for its proposal, expected next month. Spain and the Netherlands are on board, but Hungary and Slovakia likely to push back, wanting to keep Russian energy flowing .
This ban is part of bigger strategy. European Commission rolled out a roadmap in May 2022 under REPowerEU, aiming to cut off Europe's Russian gas reliance by 2027. Plan targets phasing out all Russian energy,including gas, oil,nuclear fuel,from EU countries by then.
Roadmap plans to ban new Russian gas deals,spot contracts by 2025's end. Also aims to stop imports of pipeline gas,LNG from Russia under current contracts by 2027.
Before 2022,EU bought 40% of its gas from Russia. By 2023,that dropped to around 15%,though it rose back to nearly 19% in 2024,bringing sharp critique from Brussels.
Cost of Russian LNG imports for EU almost quadrupled in three years,driven by rising prices,increased supply. Some politicians,industry voices now push for return to Russian energy post-conflict,citing Europe's high power bills,struggling economy…
