EU Advances Proposal for Russian Gas Import Ban Amid Opposition

By Kate Abnett

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) -Hungary and Slovakia on Monday opposed a planned European Union ban on Russian gas imports, though Brussels is expected to propose the law on Tuesday, which could pass without their approval.

The European Commission aims to ban EU Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by the end of 2027.

On Tuesday, it will propose the measures and set out how it will legally enact the plan, which was announced last month.

Hungary and Slovakia, however, blocked EU energy ministers from issuing a joint statement endorsing the plan, which was backed by the 25 other member states.

"Energy policy is a national competence & this endangers our sovereignty and energy security," Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a post on X, in which he said Hungary had vetoed the joint statement.

A spokesperson for Slovakia's EU representation confirmed the country had done the same.

The Commission plans to propose the ban using a legal basis allowing it to pass with the support of a "reinforced majority" of countries and a majority of the European Parliament, according to EU officials.

A reinforced majority requires at least 15 of the EU's 27 members, and must represent at least 65% of the EU's population.

In Monday's closed-door meeting, most energy ministers signalled their support, though some raised concerns that it could expose companies to legal risks or financial penalties for breaking long-term gas contracts, EU diplomats said.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett; editing by Jason Neely)