Russian occupation forces use the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant as a military base. Because Ukraine’s defense forces cannot strike there. In addition, the enemy installs training grounds there for its drone crews.
The European Commissioner responsible for Energy, Housing and Public Services, Dan Jorgensen, said it during an information meeting in the European Parliament, presenting the plan of the Commission, reports a Ukrinform correspondent.
“Today, the European Union sends a very clear signal to Russia. Too much is too much. We will no longer allow Russia to use energy against us. We will no longer allow the blackmail of our Member States. We will cease to indirectly help the Kremlin to fill its war treasure ”said Jorgensen.
According to him, since the total invasion of Russia on February 22, the EU has made considerable efforts to put an end to all imports of Russian energy. Until February 22, half of the coal used in the EU came from Russia. The share of oil, on the other hand, was reduced from 26 % to 3 %.
“Regarding gas, we have reduced the share of Russian gas by 45 % in 2022 to 13 % today. So we have made significant progress, but it is not enough. During last year, the EU paid 23 billion euros to Russia for its energy imports. This represents 1.8 billion per month. It must stop. This is why the commission has adopted a roadmap today which will allow you to complete this work ”said the European Commissioner.
The European Commission has promised to present a set of legislative proposals next month and to introduce new rules on transparency, monitoring and monitoring of Russian gas. Member States must develop binding national plans for the progressive elimination of Russian nuclear fuel, nuclear and oil, which should be ready by the end of the year.
-“We prohibit all imports of Russian gas within the framework of new contracts and existing contracts which will enter into force at the end of this year. We prohibit the remaining imports of Russian gas by gas pipeline and LNG within the framework of existing long -term contracts until the end of 2027. In addition, we reinforce our control over the Russian ghost fleet in order to counter illegal oil import on the market “said Jorgensen.
According to estimates, the prohibition to conclude new contracts and the termination of existing contracts will allow Ukraine to say goodbye to a third of its current imports from Russia towards the end of the year, and to completely eliminate its dependence on Russian gas towards the end of 2027.
The Commission also plans to introduce new restrictions to gradually eliminate imports of uranium and uranium enriched with Russia.
“We will make the Russian fuel economically uninteresting and we will strengthen the nuclear fuel supply chain in the European Union. Today is an important day. Russia is a threat to all of us. This is why we must act to guarantee our independence and our solidarity with Ukraine ”he said.
As indicated, the European Commission intends to propose measures to prohibit all imports of Russian gas at the end of 2027.
Ten European countries have asked the European Union to stop using Russian gas, including fuel for gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
