Russian energy phase-out: “Finish the job”
Today, after a request by the Greens/EFA Group, the European Parliament will debate the Russian energy phase-out, Nord Stream and the EU's energy sovereignty. Following the Commission's presentation of the REPowerEU roadmap, Greens/EFA MEPs now call for June’s legislative proposal to be ambitious and to be treated with the right sense of urgency.
MEP Ville Niinistö from Finland, Greens/EFA co-coordinator in the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), comments:
“For years, we have warned that Putin’s war chest is being funded by now more than €200 billion of European energy money, far surpassing our financial aid to Ukraine. The same money fuels the Russian Shadow Fleet, which continues to infest our Baltic Sea. While I welcome the Commission’s overdue recognition of this reality, we now need the political courage to finish the job. Even now, many of Putin’s far-right allies within the EU still try to downplay his geopolitical influence.
“And the EU must think smart and sustainable, and not swap one energy dependence for another. Replacing Russian energy with fossil fuels or nuclear energy from other authoritarian regimes is not the solution. True energy security means accelerating renewables, cutting energy waste, and building a resilient grid. We urge the European Commission to focus on building a clean, sovereign energy system, which puts an end to Europe’s fossil fuel dependence, boosts our economies, increases resilience, and upholds democratic values.”
MEP Michael Bloss from Germany, Greens/EFA co-coordinator in the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), comments:
"While Friedrich Merz and Katherina Reiche keep dreaming of more gas, the EU is drawing a definitive line under Nord Stream. The German government must unequivocally back the EU's plan to ban the import of Russian gas. The Nord Stream misadventure, driven by the former grand coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD was anti-European from the start and must now be buried once and for all.
“It is a scandal that Russia still earns more money from selling gas and oil to Europe than Europe has spent in total on military aid to Ukraine. This situation must change immediately. It is therefore a long-overdue step that Commissioner Jørgensen has finally announced the plan to fully exit Russian fossil fuels. But, true support for Ukraine means not waiting until 2028 to stop buying Russian gas but ending it much sooner. Anyone serious about climate protection and energy sovereignty must escape Putin’s fossil trap sooner rather than later.
“Anyone serious about strengthening our security and independence must not repeat the same mistakes. Instead of turning to US-American gas, Europe needs an accelerated program to upgrade its energy grids and storage systems. True freedom will only be achieved through renewable energy.
“The new German government has a responsibility to correct Merkel’s mistakes. Another misstep is not an option."
