EU’s Plan to Reduce Reliance on Russian Energy is Missing LNG Sanctions, Bruegel Says

While the European Union has been working more than a year to replace Russian pipeline gas and decrease the country’s influence on the European economy, imports of Russian LNG have been ticking upward. The EU may need further sanctions on LNG if it’s serious about kicking Russian fossil fuels, according to a European think tank.

Researchers with Bruegel wrote in a recent policy brief that the EU is facing serious questions on whether it can meet its established goals of ending reliance on Russian natural gas by 2027.

The EU has a number of options, researchers wrote, including waiting to see if the market incentivises bloc members to reduce Russian imports on their own. However, Bruegel concluded delaying policy action risks the EU’s economy and reputation as an ally to...