EU considers zero quota on Russian gas to enforce import ban by 2027

European officials and business leaders are exploring potential ways to implement the European Commission’s plan to ban imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) under existing contracts by the end of 2027.

According to a Bloomberg report, direct sanctions have been ruled out because their adoption requires unanimous approval from all EU member states—a condition unlikely to be met due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.

Instead, the EU is considering imposing a supply ban by setting a zero quota on Russian gas imports. This approach requires only a qualified majority vote, making it more feasible to implement, Bloomberg notes.

The zero quota measure would reportedly allow European companies to invoke force majeure clauses, enabling them to terminate contracts with Russian suppliers without penalty.

The proposal is expected to be officially presented in mid-June. Legal experts will then analyse the documents to determine whether this mechanism would legally permit EU companies to withdraw from contractual obligations to Russian suppliers without incurring fines.

Earlier, the European Commission released a roadmap outlining its strategy to phase out Russian gas. The plan calls for a ban on new import deals and spot contracts for Russian gas by the end of 2025. Additionally, it aims to prohibit imports of pipeline gas and LNG from Russia altogether by the end of 2027.

The proposed ban on Russian gas purchases may become mandatory for EU companies, effectively declaring force majeure on existing contracts. The European Commission will present legally binding proposals in June. For these measures to come into force, they must be approved by EU member states in the Council of the European Union.

By Tamilla Hasanova