France and Belgium have opposed the European Commission’s proposal for a complete ban on gas imports from Russia by 2027, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive analysis of the economic and legal implications of such a decision.
This is reported by Finway
France’s Position: Seeking Alternatives and Legal Risks
According to reports, France is currently focusing on a strategy to diversify its energy supplies. The country is considering replacing Russian gas with supplies from Qatar and other nations. Energy Minister Marc Ferracci emphasized that France supports reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels; however, the proposed EU-wide ban could result in “no one being able to import liquefied natural gas” from Russia.
France “supports a strategy to reduce risks from Russian fossil fuels,” but a ban at the European level would mean that “no one can import liquefied natural gas” from Russia.
The French government also expresses concerns about potential lawsuits from Russian companies due to the premature termination of contracts. For instance, TotalEnergies has a valid agreement with Novatek until 2032 and holds a 20% stake in the Yamal project, which operates the Siberian liquefied gas production plant.
Belgium Seeks Clarification on Economic Consequences
Belgium, for its part, insists on preparing a detailed report on the economic impact of a possible ban on Russian gas imports. Government representatives stress that a decision should be made only after receiving complete information about the potential consequences for the country’s economy and energy sector.
It is worth noting that France and Belgium remain the largest importers of Russian liquefied natural gas in the European Union. According to Kpler, last year these two countries, along with Spain and the Netherlands, received 16.77 million tons of Russian LNG, accounting for 97% of all imports to the EU and over half of Russia’s global exports.
Meanwhile, Spain and the Netherlands have already expressed their readiness to support the European Commission’s initiative to ban short-term contracts for purchasing Russian gas this year, as well as to terminate long-term agreements by 2027. The final decision of the EU regarding import restrictions will largely depend on the positions of these four countries.