Latest news with #DanJørgensen
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU imports of Russian energy: how much Russia has earned
The European Union spent €23 billion on Russian energy in 2024 despite having significantly reduced consumption. Source: European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, as reported by Radio Liberty Quote: "Before 2022, half of the coal we used in the EU was from Russia. This we have stopped completely. On oil, we have gone from 26% to 3% of our oil being from Russia. And finally gas. We have gone from 45% of our gas coming from Russia in 2022 to 13% today. So, we have come far. But not far enough. Last year, we in the EU paid €23 billion to Russia for our energy imports." Details: Jørgensen has announced new rules that will enable Russian gas to be tracked on the market. He added that the European Commission expects member states to draw up national plans for phasing out Russian energy. "These plans need to be ready by the end of this year," Jørgensen stated. "Also to address the illegal oil entering the market via Russia's 'shadow fleet' we tighten the grip." He stressed that the European Commission does not envisage any possible future scenario in which Nord Stream would be used to transport Russian energy to Europe. Background: On 19 May, it was reported that the EU would propose lowering the current price cap on seaborne Russian oil (US$60 per barrel) to G7 finance ministers. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU vows they won't import "even a single molecule" of Russian oil and gas
The EU has declared it will not import "even a single molecule" of Russian gas or oil. Source: European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen in Warsaw, before an informal meeting of European energy ministers, as quoted by Ukrinform and reported by European Pravda Details: Jørgensen emphasised that the EU will not allow Russia to weaponise energy or use it as a tool of blackmail. He explained that the EU has decided to end imports of Russian energy, a move he described as vital for the bloc's security and its solidarity with Ukraine. He added that this remains a key priority on the EU's agenda. When asked about US-Russia talks in the context of ending the war in Ukraine, and speculation about resuming imports of Russian gas to Europe, he emphasised that the EU has no intention of importing "even a single molecule" of Russian energy now or in the future. Jørgensen underscored that the EU's position is unequivocal: it will not rely on Russian energy currently, nor will it do so after peace is achieved, sending a firm message to Moscow. Background: On 6 May, the European Commission presented a roadmap for the complete cessation of Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, while also minimising Russian oil imports. However, Hungary and Slovakia continue to rely on Russian gas and oil pipelines as their primary sources. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that the European Commission's roadmap, in its current form, is unacceptable to the Slovak government. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán agreed, stating that "President von der Leyen's proposal will bankrupt Europe and place an unbearable burden on Central European families". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dangerous dependency: The EU's plans for a Russian fossil fuel detox
For decades, Russian energy pervaded Europe: from heating flats in Slovakia to powering German industry. Voices warning that this dependency on one energy supplier could be risky were in a minority. A first blow came with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, but the dangers only became clear to most Europeans with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the European Union has struggled to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels, while facing internal obstruction from some member states. When the full-scale invasion began, the EU sanctioned Russia and took steps to reduce coal and oil imports. Now gas has come into focus. As more liquefied natural gas (LNG) becomes available globally, the EU plans to replace gas from Russia with LNG – if possible from other sources than the Kremlin. Earlier this week, the European Commission presented a roadmap towards a "coordinated and stepwise phase-out of Russian energy supplies" by 2027. "It is now time for Europe to completely cut off its energy ties with an unreliable supplier," said commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A secondary aim is to strengthen the bloc's pivot towards renewables. "We do this to preserve our security. But it is also an important step towards becoming energy independent," EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said. But achieving these goals may be easier said than done. Supply follows demand According to the commission, Russian gas imports dropped from a 45% share in 2021 to 19% in 2024. Gas imports via pipeline have fallen sharply, but several EU countries have increased LNG purchases. LNG is transported by sea, unloaded at ports, regasified and then injected into the European network. There is a total ban on coal imports. Oil imports from Russia amount to 3% of the total, down from 27% in early 2022. Yet, according to estimates by the Kpler data consultancy, Russian gas accounted for 9% of EU consumption from January to April 2025. It remains among the top three gas suppliers, alongside Norway and Algeria. The Ember global energy think tank said imports rose year-on-year by 18% in 2024, mainly due to increased imports into the Czech Republic, Italy and France. According to Czech analyst Jiří Tyleček, the rise in Russian gas imports underlines persistent problems in European energy security. "Business is very pragmatic and importers do not care too much whether or not taking Russian gas is politically problematic," Tyleček said. "Unless there are legal obstacles, such as an embargo, then they focus on importing cheaper Russian gas." The roadmap ahead The commission now wants to end all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, with legislative proposals due next month. Oil and nuclear fuel are also being targeted. Russia is a major supplier of the uranium needed to produce nuclear energy. Several EU members also operate Russian-built reactors. "We don't want to be under the control of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin," Jørgensen said after setting out the measures. "We know that he will weaponize energy if he feels that it's in his interest." The commissioner noted that the bloc had spent more buying fossil fuels from Russia than on aid to Ukraine since 2022. The legislation will have to be approved by EU lawmakers and member states. The commission does not need all 27 member states to approve the import bans, which require only the backing of a weighted majority of 15 countries. Hungary and Slovakia, which entertain close ties with Moscow, have already blasted the plans. Slovak Premier Robert Fico called the move to end all Russian energy imports "economic suicide," while recognizing the goal of reducing energy dependence. Jørgensen said the commission was willing to go it without unanimity. But even if resistance from Hungary or Slovakia is almost a given, headwinds may come from other quarters, as a number of member states rely on Russian energy. Countries such as Slovakia or Hungary remain dependent on Russian fossil fuels – importing 80% of their oil from Moscow, for example. They are exempt from the ban on oil imports. At the end of 2024 - when the transit deal between Moscow and Kiev ended - Austria was still getting about 80% of its gas from Russia. It was only at this point that the deliveries stopped. The commission will also have to manage some member states' increased dependence on Russian LNG imports. Most of it goes to three countries - Belgium, France and Spain - according to the International Energy Agency, although some is re-exported to neighbouring countries. Franco-German motor, powered by Russia? The bloc's economic heavyweights France and Germany have a big stake in the shift away from Russian energy. Before Russia's attack on Ukraine, Germany imported 55% of its gas from Russia. Since then, Berlin has been working on diversifying its energy imports and constructing LNG terminals. Since Russia closed the Nord Stream 1 Pipeline in 2022, Germany has imported its natural gas from Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany gets LNG from other EU members, including some of those who import it from Russia. France would face a heavy impact from any move away from Russian LNG as it has five terminals for its delivery in Europe. France increased its Russian LNG imports by 81% between 2023 and 2024, giving Russia €2.68 billion in income, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Import dilemmas Russia was the third largest supplier of natural gas to Spain as of March, accounting for 13.2% in the first quarter of the year, behind Algeria and the United States, both at around 32%. The government said these LNG imports stemmed from "private contracts" where it cannot intervene, but stressed that it wanted to increase imports from other sources. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in Kiev in February that both the government and Spanish society had the "political will" to find suppliers other than Russia. The Czech Republic's struggles exemplify the energy dilemma. While the country has been independent of Russian oil for the first time since April due to the completion of a new pipeline, it still imports Russian gas, albeit indirectly. In 2023, Prague declared total independence from Russian natural gas, cutting its imports to almost zero. However, grid data shows that it is importing at least some Russian fuel via Slovakia. The flows highlight the challenge some nations face in curbing their reliance on Russian fuel, even as they oppose the Kremlin's war on Ukraine. One member state that weaned itself off Russian gas is Croatia. It completed the construction of a floating LNG terminal on the island of Krk in January 2021 - even before the war in Ukraine. This move diversified its gas supply and ended the dependence on Russian imports. Today, Croatia imports liquefied gas mostly from the US, followed by Nigeria, Qatar and Egypt. The terminal not only meets Croatia's gas needs, but can also supply its neighbours. With plans to expand the hub and upgrade gas pipelines, Croatia wants to turn itself into a regional energy hub. Trading favours Opening the door for more LNG supplies from the US could also help Brussels ease trade tensions with US President Donald Trump. The US is already the EU's largest supplier of LNG, accounting for 45% in 2024, followed by Russia's 20%. In April, Trump advanced the figure of $350 billion in additional energy purchases by the EU. The commission said it aims to rely on suppliers ranging from the US, to Norway, Qatar or North African nations. At the same time, it needs to keep an eye on consumers. Rising energy prices remain a politically sensitive topic and the commission will have to navigate the spectre of another gas price surge like in 2022, when the EU began imposing hefty sactions on Moscow, if it wants to break free of Russian energy. The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, ANSA, BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, Europa Press, HINA, MIA and TASR as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.
E&E News
07-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
EU to propose blanket ban on Russian gas
BRUSSELS — The European Union's executive will soon unveil legislation to end all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027. The goal is at the core of a plan that the European Commission presented Tuesday. The Commission said it will release legislation next month to ban new gas contracts with Russia — a prohibition that would kick in at the end of 2025 for short-term market purchases, and at the end of 2027 for long-term contracts. The plan will similarly target Russian oil, but with less-binding measures. And it will go after Russian nuclear supplies, proposing upcoming measures and laws to shun Russian nuclear fuel and uranium imports. Advertisement 'Today the European Union sends a very clear message to Russia — no more,' EU energy chief Dan Jørgensen said as he unveiled the plan. 'No more will we allow our member states to be blackmailed, no more will we indirectly help fill up the war chest in the Kremlin.'
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The EU seeks to halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 and ban new contracts already this year
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union should halt imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027 to deprive President Vladimir Putin of revenue that helps fuel his war on Ukraine , the bloc's executive branch said Tuesday. Under a detailed plan to be presented next month, the European Commission would seek to ban new gas contracts with Russia by the end of this year and phase out existing ones still in use in the 27-nation EU by the end of 2027. 'Putin has shown that he doesn't mind weaponizing gas,' EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said as he outlined the plan. 'We do not want to fill up his war chest and support his war economy because who knows which countries will be next.' Jørgensen said the EU had completely cut coal purchases from Russia and drastically lowered oil and gas imports since the war on Ukraine began in 2022, but that 1.8 billion euros ($2 billion) in energy revenue still reached Moscow every month last year. 'I am a little bit embarrassed that last year we still paid 23 billion euros ($26 billion) to Russia whilst they are in war with our friends in Ukraine,' Jørgensen told reporters in Strasbourg, France. The EU says it has cut gas imports from 45% to 19%, and oil from 27% to 3%, of its prewar levels. But that still makes it Russia's biggest gas client, with pipelines in operation across the Black Sea, Belarus, and Turkey, according to the Energy and Clean Air think tank. Ten countries continue to import energy from Russia. Those that still take its gas via pipelines include Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. Austria, Poland and the Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – have phased out their imports. Hungary and Slovakia – whose leaders are considered to be Putin's closest allies in Europe – have blocked EU military assistance to Ukraine, and are sure to oppose the commission's gas plans. However, the EU's executive branch appears determined not to let them veto the plan and is ready to propose a system that would only have to be endorsed by about two-thirds of the 27 member countries, and possibly by the European Parliament. Jørgensen said that by the end of this year, each country would be required to submit plans showing how they intend to stop imports of Russian energy and that existing spot market contracts would be banned, measures that would eliminate one-third of imports. He conceded that the plan would face challenges but said that it would be introduced 'in a gradual, coordinated way,' with EU support being provided if needed to those countries that are hardest hit. 'Russia is a threat to all of us. Therefore, we must act,' Jørgensen said. ___ McNeil contributed to this report from Barcelona, Spain.
