EU Bans Russian Gas by 2027, Backs 100GW Wind Power Plan

Europe just took two giant leaps toward a cleaner, safer energy future in a single day.

On Monday, EU countries gave final approval to completely ban Russian gas imports by late 2027, transforming a promise made after Russia's invasion of Ukraine into law. The move cuts off what was once Europe's biggest energy supplier and redirects billions away from funding the war.

The numbers tell a powerful story. Russia supplied more than 40 percent of Europe's gas before 2022. By 2025, that dropped to just 13 percent as countries scrambled to find alternatives.

Under the new law, liquefied natural gas imports from Russia must stop by the end of 2026. Pipeline gas gets cut off by September 30, 2027, with a possible extension to November 1 for countries that need extra time to prepare their winter supplies.

Companies with existing Russian gas contracts must terminate them or face penalties up to 3.5 percent of their global annual revenue. New deals were already banned, and short-term contracts signed before June 2025 must end by April or June 2026, depending on the fuel type.

Hungary and Slovakia voted against the measure and will challenge it in court, but the law was designed to pass with a reinforced majority. Most of Europe is ready to move forward.

The same day brought even brighter news. Germany, France, the UK, Denmark, and five other countries signed an agreement to deliver 100 gigawatts of offshore wind power through joint North Sea projects. That's enough clean electricity to power roughly 100 million homes.

British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband put it perfectly when he said offshore wind is "for winners" because it provides energy "not under the control of dictators and petro-states."

The Ripple Effect

This double announcement signals a fundamental shift in how Europe powers itself. Countries are replacing energy dependence on authoritarian regimes with homegrown renewable power they control completely.

Ukraine's Energy Minister welcomed the gas ban as a step toward "a safe and strong Europe." The wind power commitment takes that safety even further by building an energy system that can't be weaponized or cut off during international conflicts.

The North Sea wind agreement also advances a larger goal set in 2023 to reach 300 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2050. Monday's 100-gigawatt pledge puts Europe firmly on track to hit that target.

The European Commission plans to propose additional legislation in coming months to phase out Russian pipeline oil and nuclear fuel, completing Europe's energy break from Moscow.

Europe just proved that energy security and climate progress can happen at the same time, and the world is watching.