Gas prices in European Union countries have surged by 140% since the beginning of the current year, yet the European Commission intends to fully phase out gas purchases from Russia by the end of 2027. Furthermore, the body seeks to unify and take control of the EU's entire gas import process.
Speaking at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg, European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen stated that since the start of 2026, the EU has paid €100 billion more for gas imports than in 2025, without importing a single molecule more than before.
She called for increased investment in green and nuclear energy production and a significant reduction in gas purchases from Russia. According to the official, prior to the outbreak of the war against Ukraine, gas imports from Russia accounted for 45%, whereas now that figure has dropped to 12%. The European Commission President promised that the EU will bring that number down to zero by the end of next year.
Von der Leyen also advocated for transferring all gas purchasing operations by EU countries to the European Commission or to a single European operator acting under its control. She emphasized the necessity to aggregate gas demand and empower a single market operator to handle all joint purchases.
The sharp rise in gas prices and the additional €100 billion expenditure highlight the heavy financial burden Europe currently carries during this phase of energy transition.
Reducing the share of Russian gas from 45% to 12% demonstrates a resolve to lessen energy dependence, but the proposal to transition to a centralized purchasing system could spark serious debates among EU member states.
