Energy Commissioner: EU's Russian import ban is legal and will stop 'blackmail,'

Dan Jorgensen, the EU's Energy Commissioner, told reporters on Monday in Lisbon that the decision to ban Russian imports was "100% legal", adding that it would prevent Russia weaponizing energy.

After meeting with 'Portugal Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho, Jorgensen stated that "we will no longer indirectly 'finance' (Russian president Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine by buying gas there."

He added, "This also means that it is no longer possible for Russia?to blackmail 'EU member states to weaponise energy against our country."

Last week, European Union countries approved a law that will ban Russian gas imports until late 2027. This is a concrete step towards a political commitment to sever?energy relations with Moscow four years after Russia’s?full scale invasion of Ukraine. EU ministers approved this measure despite Hungary and Slovakia's opposition. Bulgaria abstained, and Hungary plans to contest it before the EU court.

Jorgensen stated that Hungary is free to challenge this?law at court. However, he added that Budapest will still be required to comply with the law even if they disagree.

(source: Reuters)