EU continues with Russian gas banning proposal despite Hungary and Slovakia's vetoes

Hungary and Slovakia opposed on Monday a planned European Union prohibition on Russian gas imports. However, Brussels is expected Tuesday to propose the legislation, which may pass without their approval.

By the end of 2027, the European Commission plans to ban EU imports of Russian gas and LNG.

It will announce the legal implementation of the plan announced last month on Tuesday.

Hungary and Slovakia blocked the EU energy ministers' ability to issue a joint statement approving the plan. The plan was supported by 25 other EU member states.

Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's foreign minister, said that energy policy was a matter of national competence and this put our sovereignty at risk. He said Hungary had vetoed a joint statement.

The spokesperson for Slovakia’s EU representation confirmed that the country has done the same.

According to EU officials, the Commission intends to propose the prohibition using a legal base that allows it to be passed with the support from a "reinforced majority" of countries and majority of the European Parlament.

A strengthened majority is required by at least 15 out of 27 EU members and at least 65% population of the EU.

EU diplomats reported that most ministers of energy expressed their support in the closed-door meeting on Monday, but some were concerned about legal or financial penalties if companies broke long-term contracts for gas.

(source: Reuters)