By Martin Banks

Some MEPs have called for an absolute end of energy dependency of Russia.

This, they add, should start with a partial ban from 1 January and leading to a total ban on gas and oil imports from 1 January 2027.

The vast majority of members of the lead committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on International Trade (INTA), under the leadership of Co-Rapporteurs Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA) and Inese Vaidere (EPP), have voted for a permanent end of Russian energy imports into the EU market including gas and oil.

This would terminate fossil dependency of Russia, one year earlier compared to the European Commission’s proposal, also eliminating the original Commission proposal’s loopholes and exceptions.

Niinistö, Co-Rapporteur of the European Parliament in the ITRE Committee and Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, welcomed support for the mandate to enter into negotiations.

The MEP said, “The outcome of the Parliament’s vote is an impressive improvement that strengthens EU’s energy independence and strategic autonomy.

“The vast unity across democratic parties and strong support amongst EU citizens shows the deep commitment against the Russian aggression against Ukraine and weaponizing of fossil fuel exports against European democracy.

“There are four key elements we wanted to toughen in the ban. 

“We got scope expansion to oil and an early ban for oil imports as of 1st of January 2026, earlier deadlines for the ban of gas imports and more stringent enforcement mechanisms while getting rid of exceptions and loopholes. 

“The result is a balanced compromise with broad political support in the Parliament. In the negotiations with the Member states for the final legislation we expect to deliver an outcome with progress on all of these matters to the benefit of European sovereignty and the future of democracy.”

Following proposals made by Co-Rapporteur Niinistö (Greens/EFA), in the upcoming negotiations, the European Parliament will also take a strong stance on widening the scope of the proposed law by permanently banning oil and petroleum products within just a couple of months, as of the beginning of 2026. The end of Russian gas, oil and petroleum imports will not include any exemptions for any EU member states.

The European Parliament also wants stronger enforcement, introducing high penalties as a minimum of 5 per cent of annual turnover for breaches of the regulation, and a “no-loophole approach”, eliminating all escape clauses from the Commission’s draft, including the option to temporarily suspend the regulation.

The vote on 16 October hammered out the European Parliament´s mandate for negotiations with the Council and the European Commission on the Regulation on phasing out Russian natural gas imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending. The mandate will be announced at the opening of next week´s plenary (Monday, 20 October).

There will be a plenary debate next Wednesday (22 October) afternoon on “Ending all energy imports from Russia to the EU and closing loopholes through third countries”.

Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, S&D MEP and ITRE committee negotiator, said:“Europeans remember the increase in gas and electricity prices that we all experienced in 2021 and 2022. What has often been called an ‘energy crisis’ is actually a Russian gas shock. It is indeed Russia that weaponised the European dependence on Russian energy against the EU itself. The spirit of this regulation is simple: never again shall we allow Russia to manipulate our energy market and put millions of jobs at risk, never again will Russia be able to increase the energy bills paid by all Europeans families.”
 
Francisco Assis, S&D MEP and INTA committee negotiator, added:“For too long, Russia has used its gas and oil as tools of coercion, trying to undermine European stability. This mandate represents a decisive step towards genuine EU energy security. It shields our economy from untrusted dependencies, closes the loopholes and prevents circumvention. The sooner we end our reliance on Russian fossil fuels, the stronger and safer Europe will be.”