The European Commission reiterated this Wednesday that the European Union will not resume imports of gas from Russia, even in the scenario of a peace agreement that ends the war in Ukraine. The Community Executive recalled that the current regulations in the EU block any return to these purchases, after reports have emerged about alleged conversations between the United States and Russia to restore the flow of gas to Europe through the Nord Stream pipeline.
"We have legislation in force that prevents us from resuming imports of fossil fuels, particularly gas, from Russia," stressed the chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Paula Pinho, at the daily press conference in Brussels, when repeatedly asked about the reports on possible contacts between Washington and Moscow to reopen Nord Stream once the conflict ends.
In the same vein, the Community Energy spokesperson, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, stated that the European regulation 'REPowerEU' "is not linked to sanctions or to any geopolitical event" and that, therefore, it will remain in force regardless of whether a peace understanding is reached in Ukraine.
"Regardless of what happens, we are progressively eliminating Russian gas and liquefied natural gas from the European market, and the last supplies should end by the end of next year," Itkonen explained, referring to the 2027 horizon set by Brussels.
The Energy spokesperson clarified, however, that it is not up to the Commission to determine whether the Nord Stream pipeline could operate again in the future, although she emphasized that the position of the Community Executive regarding this project has been unequivocal since its launch and that the decision to forgo Russian gas goes beyond the sanctions linked to the invasion of Ukraine.
"We know all too well the hidden costs of depending on Russia for the purchase of fossil fuels. They have been used as a weapon and we have paid the price, so we do not forget it," insisted the chief spokesperson, who stressed that the EU has taken note of the consequences of its energy dependence on Moscow "with war or without it".
Pinho also recalled that it was Moscow who initially cut off the gas supply to the European Union. "It was Russia, in case anyone has forgotten in the meantime," the spokesperson emphasized.
Brussels was informed of the call from Nordic leaders to Putin
In other matters, the European Commission confirmed that it had been notified in advance about the telephone conversation held on Tuesday between the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the prime minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store, with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
"We were informed before the call," indicated Pinho, who then defended the need for the member states to maintain a coherent position in their contacts with the Kremlin, regardless of the diplomatic initiatives undertaken by their leaders.
"What is truly important is that we remain united around the same message that must be conveyed to President Putin," he added, lamenting afterward that Russia continues to show no willingness to engage in negotiations that would make it possible to end the war.