The European Commission (EC) has once again postponed the release of its strategy to reduce reliance on Russian energy imports, marking the second delay without providing a new timeline or explanation. Initially scheduled for publication on March 26, the plan remains indefinitely on hold, with Brussels officials declining to comment on a rescheduled date.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen had previously stated that the plan would be presented within the first 100 days of the new Commission’s mandate. However, after being postponed from its original February release, the strategy remains unpublished.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union set a non-binding goal to eliminate Russian natural gas imports by the end of 2027. Despite this, some member states have struggled to diversify their energy supplies, leading to an increase in Russian gas imports last year. The EU continues to face challenges in balancing energy security with maintaining competitive energy costs against economic rivals such as China and the United States, where energy prices are significantly lower.
At the same time, the European Commission is preparing to extend its gas storage policy, requiring storage facilities to reach 90% capacity by early November. Critics argue that such mandatory targets could drive up gas prices further, advocating for a more flexible approach.
According to the nonprofit Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the EU spent €21.3 billion on Russian gas and oil imports in 2024. Pipeline gas deliveries from Russia to Europe reached 32.1 billion cubic meters, marking a 14% increase from the previous year’s 28.15 billion cubic meters. Additionally, data from the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel shows that EU liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia rose from 17.8 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 21.5 billion cubic meters last year.
