The EU's Russian gas phase-out by 2028 is a crucial step, but it doesn't go nearly far enough to break free from Putin's energy stranglehold. European countries are still importing massive amounts of Russian gas through backdoor deals with Azerbaijan and Turkey, while Russian LNG imports have actually increased by 37.7% since 2021. This half-hearted approach undermines foreign policy goals of ending Russia's war financing and leaves Europe vulnerable to continued energy blackmail.
The EU's rushed gas phase-out creates massive legal and economic chaos that will backfire spectacularly. Countries like Hungary and Slovakia face billions in contract penalties since force majeure claims will likely fail in court after three years of war. The ban forces abrupt termination of long-term contracts without proper legal certainty, exposing member states to costly arbitration while Hungary correctly maintains that safe energy supply requires existing Russian infrastructure.
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