Poland urges EU to end Russian oil imports by 2026, citing geopolitical risks

Poland has called on European Union member states that still buy Russian energy to end those imports by the end of 2026 and has offered to help in the effort, Energy Minister Milosz Motyka said on Wednesday.

The Druzhba pipeline supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to buy energy from Russia even after other EU nations cut ties following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that the bloc will propose speeding up the phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports, following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The EU had previously planned to end purchases of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028.

Motyka said the phase-out should happen two years earlier, particularly in light of recent events such as a Russian drone incursion into Polish territory last week.

“I call on you to agree on the common goal of completely eliminating Russian oil imports by the end of 2026,” Motyka wrote to EU energy ministers.

“This decision would strengthen the coherence of our actions, set a clear time horizon, and demonstrate our determination to become independent of oil supplies that pose political and strategic risks.”

The EU has imposed sanctions on most Russian oil imports, but not on gas, due to opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, which receive pipeline supplies and maintain closer ties with Moscow.

Wojciech Wrochna, Motyka’s deputy and Poland’s top energy security official, said U.S. liquefied natural gas routed through Poland could help eliminate Russian gas from Europe.

“I had a very good meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright yesterday. U.S. gas flowing south through Poland can help eliminate Russian gas,” Wrochna told reporters.

Fonte: UOL

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