EU explores legal options for ending Russian gas deals

Postwar Russian energy return ‘illusory,’ Belgium says

Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet told POLITICO he wants to phase out the country’s Russian gas imports — but didn’t back an outright ban.

"Why ban it if we pay a fine": the EU is puzzling over Russian gas: EADaily

EADaily, April 15th, 2025. The European Union will not be able to simply refuse to supply Russian gas, since exports are carried out under long-term contracts that will be completed only in the next decade and even later. In Brussels, they are puzzling over how to legally circumvent the payment of compensation.

The European Commission is studying the possibility of early termination of long-term gas contracts with Russia without paying fines.

The EU Is Attempting to Axe Russian Gas Deals Without Paying Penalties

The European Union is looking for legal ways to tear long-term natural gas supply contracts with Russia’s Gazprom without having to pay sizable penalties, the Financial Times has reported, citing three officials from the European Commission as saying the leading option was declaring a force majeure. “If the whole idea is not paying Russia, then [paying compensation] would undermine the whole purpose,” one of these officials, who were not named, …

The EU Commission is examining legal options in order to be able to withdraw from all delivery contracts still in force.

EU explores legal options for ending Russian gas deals

Brussels says invoking ‘force majeure’ clause would allow contract termination without penalties