European Commission officials said Wednesday the EU’s Russian gas phase-out will proceed regardless of how the Ukraine war ends, while stressing that import law does not determine Nord Stream’s physical future.
The exchange followed questions about reports of possible U.S.-Russian discussions over Nord Stream. Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the Commission’s energy spokesperson, said it was “not for us to decide whether it will be functioning.” She said EU legislation prevents the bloc from resuming Russian gas imports.
Paula Pinho, the Commission’s chief spokesperson, said dependence on Russian fossil fuels had hidden costs, adding that “they have been weaponized.” The Council of the European Union says the EU’s move to end reliance on Russian energy followed security and economic risks linked to that dependence.
Regulation (EU) 2026/261 began the staged prohibition on Russian gas imports March 18, 2026, with transition periods for existing contracts, the Council says. The Council describes the import regulation as a longer-term measure alongside sanctions, which require renewal twice a year.
A Commission document dated Jan. 22, 2026, said explosions in 2022 had left three of Nord Stream’s four lines inoperable, and that remained the case at the time of the document. The Oct. 28 briefing did not decide whether the pipeline could function.
Reuters reported Oct. 8 that U.S. and Russian officials had discussed bringing a U.S. investor into Nord Stream, citing five people familiar with the talks. Reuters said an arrangement could give investors a chance to profit if flows resumed.
The next long-term contract deadline is Jan. 1, 2027, for liquefied natural gas (LNG); the pipeline-gas deadline is Sept. 30, 2027. The Commission can extend the pipeline-gas deadline to Nov. 1, 2027, if it identifies a risk to the EU’s gas-storage filling target. During a declared emergency that seriously threatens supply, it may suspend the restriction for short-term contracts for up to four weeks when strictly necessary.
