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Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna: EU decision to ban Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 is a heavy blow to the aggressor state's economy

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

03.12.2025 | 13:54

Today, 3 December, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement to fully ban Russian gas imports by the end of 2027. According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, this is a decisive step that strengthens Europe's security, reduces dependencies in the energy sector, and at the same time delivers a strong blow to Russia's economy.

"Russia uses energy supplies as a weapon," Tsahkna stressed. "Exports of fossil fuels account for nearly a third of Russia's state budget, and these revenues are used to finance its war machine - to continue aggression against Ukraine and prepare for confrontation with the West. Today's decision demonstrates the European Union's clear determination to cut ties with a state that disregards international norms and directly threatens the EU energy market and the critical infrastructure of its member states."

The Foreign Minister added that it is important to continue exerting pressure on Russia - to adopt a strong 20th sanctions package, including additional measures against Russian fossil fuels, and to move forward with the use of Russia's frozen assets to support Ukraine.

Since the start of Russia's full‑scale war, Estonia has consistently called on the European Union and its member states to end imports of Russian energy and to impose further sanctions on the energy sector. The preliminary agreement now reached establishes a legally binding, step‑by‑step ban on imports of both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas from Russia by the end of 2027. The regulation is a central part of the EU's long‑term REPowerEU plan, which aims to permanently end imports of Russian energy and to secure Europe's energy security, given that Russia has proven itself to be an unreliable supplier.