The postponement is reportedly linked in part to discussions over the future of the sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines
The EU will once again delay plans to eliminate its dependence on Russian energy, amid ongoing debates within the bloc over the future of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, the Financial Times has reported.
Nord Stream 1, which once delivered Russian natural gas to Germany, and Nord Stream 2 were damaged in a sabotage attack in 2022. However, one string of Nord Stream 2 remains intact. Talks of potentially reviving the pipelines have resurfaced amid recent joint efforts by Russia and the US to end the Ukraine conflict.
Originally slated for release in February, a roadmap detailing steps for cutting the EU’s energy reliance on Russia by 2027 was first put off until March and is now expected to be unveiled in May, the outlet said on Tuesday.
Uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs has also reportedly contributed to the postponement, as the energy trade could become a key issue in EU-US negotiations.
“It’s a mess,” an EU diplomat told the FT. “How does the US fit in all this? How do we diversify?’‘
Brussels is also reportedly seeking legal mechanisms that could enable EU companies to break long-term Russian gas contracts without facing hefty penalties from Moscow.
There are also concerns that any resulting legislation could be vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia, which are now receiving the bulk of the remaining Russian pipeline gas delivered to the EU.
The EU declared its intention of weaning itself off Russian energy following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Supplies of US gas have replaced much of the cheaper pipeline gas previously delivered by Russia.
Although Russian pipeline gas supplies to the EU have plummeted since 2022, the bloc ramped up imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the sanctioned country last year. In 2024, Russia still accounted for around 19% of the bloc’s total gas and LNG supply, according to various estimates.
Brussels has yet to specify the measures it intends to propose to speed up the phasing-out of Russian energy. Some experts have reportedly suggested imposing tariffs on its gas imports as one possible tool.
The development comes as EU industry leaders have suggested a resumption of gas purchases from Russia. According to Reuters, Germany’s chemical industry is facing a “severe crisis” and urgently needs a return to affordable Russian gas. French energy giants Engie and Total also said they could envision resuming Russian energy imports.
