Politico: EU’s Russian gas ban faces resistance from France, Belgium

The European Union’s two largest buyers of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), France and Belgium, are resisting Brussels’ plan to phase out Russian gas imports, seeking more clarity on the economic and legal ramifications before fully endorsing the proposal.

The EU aims to ban short-term Russian gas purchases this year and long-term contracts by 2027 as part of its strategy to reduce dependency on Moscow’s energy, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

France, the bloc’s top Russian LNG importer, said it favors a diversification approach instead of an outright ban. French Energy Minister Marc Ferracci said, “What we're defending is a European strategy of diversification … which is already on the table,” highlighting France’s plan to replace Russian supplies with LNG from Qatar. Ferracci also raised concerns about the “legal certainty” of the EU’s proposal, warning that private companies could face Russian lawsuits over abandoned contracts. For example, TotalEnergies, France’s energy giant, remains bound by a supply contract with Novatek until 2032 and holds a 20 per cent stake in a Siberian LNG project.

Belgium, the second-largest buyer, echoed calls for more assurances. “Before the EU unveils its proposals, we ask the Commission to present an in-depth impact assessment,” Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet said.

Belgium plans technical discussions on how the measures could affect its LNG infrastructure and will continue receiving Russian LNG until 2035.

In contrast, Spain and the Netherlands, the EU’s third- and fourth-largest Russian LNG buyers, are supportive of the ban. Spain’s ecological transition ministry spokesperson said, “Spain supports the European Commission's proposal to ban Russian gas imports as soon as possible … through a common EU position,” despite having a long-term contract with Novatek until 2042. The Netherlands also “continues to support the full phase-out of Russian gas,” according to a Dutch economy ministry spokesperson.

Last year, these four countries imported nearly 17 million tons of Russian LNG, accounting for 97 per cent of the EU’s total and over half of Russia’s global LNG exports. Analysts, however, suggest the ban would not trigger a supply crisis, as other LNG producers, notably the US and Canada, are poised to increase capacity from next year.

By Vafa Guliyeva