Romanian presidential hopeful calls for resumption of Russian gas imports criticises EU sanctions

Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu has called for the resumption of gas imports from Russia and a reassessment of Western sanctions policy.

Georgescu argued that the sanctions imposed on Russia have had a devastating impact on Europe, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He stated, "Sanctions have acted like a boomerang; Europe has collapsed, and there is no alternative solution. Even the United States does not have one. Shale gas is a short-term fix — you extract it today, but it’s gone tomorrow. It’s not a long-term solution."

He also highlighted the economic difficulties facing Germany, saying, "Germany is falling apart; they have nowhere else to turn. Russia remains the only real source of stable energy resources."

To recall, the European Union is considering a new sanctions package aimed at intensifying pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Among the proposed measures are restrictions on Russian aluminium imports and a gradual phase-out of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The sanctions would also target Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers and further export controls on military-related goods. Key European banks would be cut off from the SWIFT payment system, and additional restrictions may apply to Russian entities and individuals. The EU faces internal debate over whether the LNG ban should be a formal sanction or part of a broader roadmap for reducing reliance on Russian energy.

Despite some countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, opposing measures that would impact pipeline gas supplies, a ban on LNG imports appears more feasible. The EU’s 16th sanctions package is set to be finalized in February, marking three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

By Aghakazim Guliyev