EU to phase out dependency on Russian energy as soon as possible

On the second day of its meeting, the European Council focused on energy issues and the EU’s security and defence policy.

The European Union intends to phase out its dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible. The Commission will present a comprehensive and ambitious plan to this effect by the end of May. Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine has compounded the increase in the price of energy. Based on options presented by the Commission, the European Council discussed ways to provide further relief to the most vulnerable citizens and support European businesses amid rising prices.

In the Council’s view, the EU should begin refilling gas storage across the Union as soon as possible in line with the Commission’s proposal to ensure adequate supplies before next winter. The Commission’s proposal would also ensure that sufficient gas is reserved for countries that do not have their own storage capacity, such as Finland. The EU Member States may also work together on common purchases of gas, liquefied natural gas and hydrogen.

The European Council tasked the Council and the Commission with reaching out to energy stakeholders to map out measures that would contribute to reducing the price of gas and addressing its contagion effect on electricity markets. The Council also called on the Commission to submit proposals that would effectively address the problem of high electricity prices while preserving the integrity of the Single Market. The solutions must also retain the incentives for the green transition and preserve security of supply while avoiding disproportionate budgetary costs.

The European Council also discussed the security situation in Europe, which has changed crucially since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine a month ago. Recalling the agenda for its meeting in Versailles on 10–11 March, the European Council continued its discussion on strengthening the Union’s security and defence. The EU leaders endorsed the Strategic Compass adopted on 21 March by the EU foreign and defence ministers. The Strategic Compass is an ambitious action plan extending until 2030 that seeks to strengthen the EU’s security and defence policy.

The European Council called for work to be taken forward on building a more robust economic base in line with the Versailles Declaration. It is essential to reduce the EU’s strategic dependencies in the most sensitive areas, such as critical raw materials. The European Council also stressed the importance of ensuring that the Single Market can remain functional even in times of crisis.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 306, Tuulia Pitkänen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 41 501 3092 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU and International Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office

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