Can the EU Really Ditch Russian Gas?

On paper, the EU is phasing out Russian gas. A ban on new contracts kicks in by 2025, and the goal is full independence by 2027. That’s the public position, reinforced by press releases, parliamentary votes, and the REPowerEU strategy. But behind the curtain? Brussels is playing a double game. The truth is this: Europe wants Russian gas—it just doesn’t want to be seen wanting it. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. and Qatar is expensive. Infrastructure is uneven. And political unity across 27 member states is mostly a fiction…