EU Pushes Up Timeline to Drop Russian Oil Imports

Mace | 17th September 2025 | Brussels, Uncategorised
Oil_well

The European Commission is preparing to accelerate the exit from Russian oil, gas, and fossil fuel imports ahead of its prior 2028 deadline. Pressure from the United States has intensified. Resistance from Hungary and Slovakia remains. Legal changes and bans on new contracts are key components of the revised plan.

The European Commission will soon present a proposal to accelerate the phase‑out of Russian electricity, oil and gas imports ahead of the existing target date of January 1, 2028. Ursula von der Leyen has signalled the Commission intends to include the accelerated exit of fossil fuel purchases in its 19th sanctions package in response to mounting pressure from the United States. Under current plans the EU banned most maritime crude oil imports from Russia and imposed a price cap on remaining Russian‑oil purchases. New measures under discussion would halt new long‑term contracts with Russian energy suppliers. They may also ban short‑term contracts next year. Some EU member states are resistant. Hungary and Slovakia have expressed concerns about rising energy costs and heavy dependence on Russian supplies. US President Donald Trump has urged the EU to act more swiftly and impose sanctions on third‑party buyers of Russian oil such as China and India. Brussels is weighing the diplomatic ris...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Government to Ban Asylum Seekers from Taxi Services

Thomas Edwards | November 30, 2025

The government plans to end most taxi travel for asylum seekers attending medical appointments, replacing it with public transport and tightening Home Office oversight.

Yermak’s Resignation Sends Shockwaves Through Kyiv and Europe

Mace | November 29, 2025

The resignation of Andriy Yermak after anti-corruption raids disrupts Ukraine’s leadership and triggers uncertainty across Europe during a critical phase of the war.

Autumn Budget 2025: family finances squeezed, welfare rules eased

Mace | November 29, 2025

After weeks of tax rumour and expectation-setting, the 26 November Budget landed as a welfare-first package that lifts the benefits cap but tightens the screw on household incomes,

EU parliament shifts corporate rulebook in favour of business interests

Mace | November 14, 2025

The European Parliament on 13 November 2025 approved amendments that sharply reduce the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the associated reporting regime

FTSE 100 surges to record high amid US government shutdown breakthrough

Mace | November 10, 2025

The FTSE 100 hit a record 9,787 points as investors cheered progress in Washington towards ending the US government shutdown. Strong gains in Diageo, miners and financial stocks

Spain out in front in BYD’s European factory sweepstakes

Mace | October 14, 2025

Spain has emerged as the leading contender for BYD’s third European vehicle plant. The country’s competitive manufacturing costs, renewable-energy grid, and EV incentives are major advantages. A final

Lecornu scrambles to build government as France faces budget showdown

Mace | October 12, 2025

Reappointed French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu unveiled his second cabinet and must deliver the 2026 budget within days. With opposition parties preparing a no-confidence motion and markets showing

Rebuilding Ukraine’s future with music and memory

Sophia Ibrahim | October 9, 2025

As Ukraine rebuilds from war, music is emerging as a vital force for healing, unity and national renewal.

From the Floor: Beverley Nielsen’s Labour Conference Diary

Beverley Nielsen | October 2, 2025

Optimism, strategy and late-night gossip: Beverley Nielsen shares her experience of Labour’s four-day conference in Liverpool.

UK eyes higher NHS drug prices amid U.S. pharma pressure

Mace | September 27, 2025

The UK government is reportedly prepared to allow higher NHS medicine prices to defuse U.S. threats of 100 percent tariffs on branded drugs. The shift comes as pharmaceutical firms