Europe Reaches Deal Phasing Out Russian Gas Imports By 2027 2025 12 03
Reuters1 day
EU Agrees to Phase Out Russian Gas Imports By 2027
Is cutting Russian energy an economic disaster for Europe, or is ending this dependence essential for security?
Above: The Eustream gas facility in Velke Kapusany, Slovakia, on Feb. 28, 2025. Image credit: Robert Nemeti/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Cutting off Russian energy would be an economic disaster for Europe. Companies already pay 2-3 times more for electricity than U.S. rivals and 4.5 times more for gas, forcing widespread factory closures and job losses. The EU paid an extra $204 billion for natural gas over 20 months while household power bills hit record highs, proving this self-inflicted crisis will devastate European industry.
Anti-Russia narrative
Europe's dependence on Russian gas was the greatest geopolitical blunder of the 21st century. Moscow weaponized energy exports for decades, cutting off supplies to Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine to exert political control while Europe ignored the warnings. Ending this dangerous relationship is essential for security and independence, even if transition costs are high in the short term.