The European Union will be able to refuse supplies of gas from Russia within two years

The European Union will be able to refuse the supply of Russian gas within two years. This was stated by the head of the EU Foreign Affairs Office Josep Borrell. Europe is not seeking to ban Russian energy resources, but is engaged in the diversification of supplies to its territory.

In early March, against the background of the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission presented a plan to accelerate the rejection of Russian raw materials. According to the document, the EU will reduce consumption of Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year.

According to the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the EU countries will start buying gas jointly and in a coordinated manner to eliminate competition between EU members on the gas market. It should help reduce fuel prices.

In turn, the U.S. and Britain said they would impose an embargo on oil supplies from Russia.

On March 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed to transfer payments for gas to the states from the list of “unfriendly countries” into Russian rubles. Putin explained that it is planned to abandon all “compromised currencies” in settlements. The supply volumes and gas prices will correspond to the previously signed contracts.

Russia’s list of “unfriendly countries” includes 50 states, including all the countries of the European Union.

The list includes countries that imposed or supported sanctions against Russia in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.