DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 03 December 2025
Commission announces strategic approach to strengthen Europe's economic security
Today, the European Commission and the High Representative presented a Joint Communication on strengthening Economic Security. It outlines concrete steps to reinforce the EU's strength and resilience in the face of growing external economic threats, while retaining our openness and commitment to international trade and investment.
The Joint Communication builds on the Economic Security Strategy of 2023 which set the overarching economic security objectives of promoting industrial strengths, protecting European interests and partnering with like-minded countries.
This Communication sets out the EU's strengthened approach to addressing risks, using all the tools at its disposal. To strengthen its economic security, the EU will use existing tools irrespective of their original purpose and will deploy its toolbox more proactively when needed. It will also enhance its information collection and analytical capabilities to inform EU decisions and improve coordination with Member States and businesses.
A proactive and targeted approach
The Communication reflects a paradigm shift, moving from a reactive posture towards a more proactive and systematic deployment of tools. The EU will also be more strategic in leveraging its economic weight and the access to its Single Market. The EU's measures will remain targeted, proportionate and focused on addressing specific high-risk situations. At the same time, the EU, its Member States and businesses will increasingly need to accept the economic costs that come with increased security and resilience.
Drawing on risk assessment work with Member States, the Commission's immediate focus will be in six priority high-risk areas:
Coordinated and strategic use of tools
The effectiveness of EU action will be strengthened by using existing tools more strategically and in a coordinated way. This includes, for example, new FDI screening guidelines, taking economic security considerations into account in trade defence investigations, and prioritising funding for projects that work on reducing EU dependencies.
Improved situational awareness
The Commission will enhance its assessment of risks, as well as information gathering and sharing with Member States and stakeholders. It will promote a common understanding of economic security risks, and how and when to deploy measures to counter them. This will help the EU to intervene in a timely and effective manner. A key element will be reinforcing the Commission's close cooperation with business, which is often at the sharp end of economic security issues.
Completing the EU's economic security toolbox
The EU is also working on new tools to address the current gaps in the EU's economic security. The first flagship proposal under the new economic security communication, ResourceEU is presented today, focusing on tackling Europe's overdependence on overseas suppliers of critical raw materials and semiconductors. Other initiatives are at various stages of preparation and implementation, including the SAFE Regulation, Industrial Accelerator Act, Cloud and AI Development Act, CHIPS 2.0 Act, Net Zero Industry Act, Critical Raw Materials Act, Start-up and Scale-up Strategy, and EU Space Programmes.
International cooperation
Europe is far from alone in facing economic security challenges. With that in mind, the EU will even further step up its cooperation with trusted partners, promote common economic security standards, and where possible take joint action to address key challenges.
Next steps
The Commission is already putting in motion any necessary legislative changes, guidelines and other supportive measures to implement the actions set out in the Joint Communication. The Commission will continue to engage intensively with the Member States, third countries and with stakeholders on the new economic security strategic approach.
For more information
Joint Communication
Factsheet
Five new initiatives to strengthen economic security (January 2024)
Joint Communication on the European Economic Security Strategy (June 2023)
Quote(s)
In a more volatile and unpredictable world, Europe must update its strategic reflexes and prepare for every possible scenario. Our ability to safeguard the resilience of our economy cannot depend on any single geopolitical configuration. With the launch of the ResourceEU programme, this new doctrine is not just a vision for the future — it is already operational. We are equipping the Union with the tools it needs to remain strong, adaptable, and sovereign in the face of global uncertainty.
Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
Europe remains a champion of open trade and global investment but openness without security becomes vulnerability. To stay resilient in a shifting geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape, we must use our tools more strategically and assertively, while developing new ones to reinforce our economic security. And we must strengthen our capacity to gather and share economic intelligence, because true security is only possible when Europe acts as one – with Member States and industry moving in sync.
Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
Economic security is fundamental to Europe’s security. When access to the critical raw materials we need for our defence is cut off, over-dependencies become physically dangerous. Today we adopt a new strategy to reduce these dependencies by diversifying our supply chains while remaining open to trade with partners. Effectively using the EU’s full trade arsenal to respond to economic threats is a core element of this strategy. And smarter choices, from a more strategic use of EU funding to increased intelligence sharing, can help make the Union more secure.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Commission unveils two solutions to support Ukraine's financing needs in 2026-2027
To bolster Ukraine's financial resilience amidst the ongoing Russian war of aggression, the European Commission today proposes two solutions to address Ukraine's financing needs for 2026-2027: EU borrowing and a Reparations Loan. These two solutions are underpinned by a comprehensive set of five legal proposals. With Russia continuing to show no sign of willingness to commit to a just and sustainable peace, the strain on Ukraine's resources continues to grow, making sustained EU support all the more vital.
The proposed solutions mark a pivotal step in responding to the European Council's commitment to address Ukraine's future budgetary and defence needs on 23 October 2025. The proposals build on the options presented by President von der Leyen on 17 November 2025 following the call by the European Council for the Commission to present options for financial support to Ukraine and further discussions with Member States.
The package is designed to respond to Ukraine's evolving financing needs in a flexible and effective manner, irrespective of the situation on the ground, whether the country is at war or at peace. It comes as Russia's attacks against Ukraine and its infrastructure increase intensively, alongside rising hybrid warfare attacks across EU Member States and incursions of EU and NATO airspace.
The two proposed solutions
With these legal proposals, the Commission puts forward two possible solutions: EU borrowing, which would rely on the EU budget (“headroom”), and a Reparations Loan, which would empower the Commission to borrow cash balances from EU financial institutions holding immobilised Russian Central Bank assets. They reflect the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine not only in defending its sovereignty and maintaining state functions, but also as a strategic investment in Europe's security and in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace.
These proposals put in place a number of safeguards to protect Member States and financial institutions from possible retaliation measures within Russia, and from unlawful expropriations outside Russia, notably in Russia-friendly jurisdictions. To cover any residual risk, the package includes a strong mechanism of solidarity backed by bilateral national guarantees or the EU budget. While the proposals comply fully with European and international law, they also maintain the integrity of the Union's financial market and the euro's status as a global currency.
The package consists of:
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “With today's proposals, we will ensure Ukraine has the means to defend themselves and take forward peace negotiations from a position of strength. We are putting forward solutions to help cover Ukraine's financial needs for the next two years, support the State budget and strengthen its defence industry as well as its integration into the European defence industrial base. We are proposing to create a Reparations Loan, using the cash balances from immobilised Russian assets in the EU, with strong safeguards for our Member States. We are increasing the cost of Russia's war of aggression. And this should act as a further incentive for Russia to engage at the negotiating table.”
Next Steps
The Commission stands ready to support the European Parliament and the Council in reaching rapid progress.
The next European Council on 18-19 December should aim at reaching a clear commitment on the way forward.
Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Reparations Loan to Ukraine and amending Regulation (EU) 2024/792
Proposal for a Council Regulation on emergency measures addressing the serious economic difficulties caused by Russia's actions in the context of the war in Ukraine
Proposal for a Council Regulation on amending Council Regulation 2020/2093 laying down the MFF for the years 2021-2027
With today’s proposals, we will ensure Ukraine has the means to defend themselves and take forward peace negotiations from a position of strength. We are putting forward solutions to help cover Ukraine’s financial needs for the next two years, support the State budget and strengthen its defence industry as well as its integration into the European defence industrial base. We are proposing to create a Reparations Loan, using the cash balances from immobilised Russian assets in the EU, with strong safeguards for our Member States. We are increasing the cost of Russia’s war of aggression. And this should act as a further incentive for Russia to engage at the negotiating table.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
The destinies of Europe and Ukraine are bound together. We have now reached a moment of reckoning. Ukraine must receive the backing it urgently needs to continue its fight until a just and lasting peace is secured. The European Commission has today presented proposals to achieve this objective and ensure that European taxpayers do not carry the cost alone. They include a Reparations Loan, which will use the cash balances of immobilised Russian assets to quickly provide Ukraine with financial and military support. Our proposals comply with international law, maximise pressure on Russia, and send a clear message that its aggression will not prevail.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification
Commission adds Russia to list of high-risk jurisdictions to strengthen international fight against financial crime
Today, the European Commission has listed Russia as a high-risk country with strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks (AML/CFT).
On 8 July 2025, the Commission adopted Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1393. This Regulation committed the Commission to concluding, by the end of 2025, a review of third countries not listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), but whose membership is suspended. The aim is to assess the need for amending the EU AML list based on this review.
As Russia falls under the scope of this Delegated Regulation, the Commission conducted a technical assessment using well-defined methodologies and incorporating information collected from public sources, Member States' competent authorities and the European External Action Service. This assessment concluded that Russia meets the criteria to be designated as a high-risk third country.
In accordance with the 4th Anti-money Laundering Directive (4AMLD) the Commission is therefore taking action to preserve the integrity of the EU financial system, by adding Russia to its list of high-risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national AML/CFT regimes. EU entities covered by the AML framework are required to apply enhanced vigilance in transactions involving these jurisdictions.
The delegated regulation will enter into force after scrutiny and non-objection of the European Parliament and the Council within a period of one month. This can be prolonged for another month. The Commission will monitor the progress of all listed countries and will continue to follow relevant developments.
Directive on anti-money laundering and terrorist funding (AMLD IV)
Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA)
The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF)
This summer, the Commission pledged to assess the anti-money laundering deficiencies of countries whose membership in the FATF has been suspended. We have delivered on that commitment, and following our detailed assessment, we are now taking the necessary steps to add Russia to our list of high-risk jurisdictions. This demonstrates our firm determination to safeguard the integrity of the EU financial system.
Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
Commission adopts RESourceEU to secure raw materials, reduce dependencies and boost competitiveness
The European Commission has adopted today the RESourceEU Action Plan to accelerate and amplify its efforts to secure the EU's supply of critical raw materials, such as rare earth elements, cobalt or lithium. Building on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the initiative provides financing and concrete tools to protect industry from geopolitical and price shocks, promote projects on critical raw materials in Europe and beyond, and partner with like-minded countries to diversify supply chains.
The plan aims to fast-track relevant projects and reduce strategic dependencies. The proposal will:
Protect European industry from geopolitical and price shocks
In early 2026, the Commission will set up a European Critical Raw Materials Centre to provide market intelligence, steer and finance strategic projects using tailored instruments with private and public partners, and act as portfolio manager for diversified and resilient supply chains, including through joint purchasing and stockpiling.
To protect the industry from geopolitical and price volatility while increasing awareness of possible shortages, the Raw Materials Platform will facilitate the efforts of the companies to aggregate demand, jointly purchase strategic raw materials and secure offtake agreements. Work is underway with Member States on a coordinated EU approach to stockpiling critical raw materials, with a pilot scheme set to become operational in early 2026.
To protect the Single Market and bolster supply chain resilience, the Action Plan foresees monitoring, crisis coordination and defence against hostile interference.
To boost Europe's recycling capacity, the Commission will introduce, in early 2026, restrictions on the export of scraps and waste of permanent magnets on the basis of a thorough assessment as well as targeted measures on aluminium scrap. Similar actions will be considered for copper scrap if this proves necessary.
A targeted amendment to the CRMA expands product labelling requirements and incentivises recycling of pre-consumer waste for permanent magnets, i.e. materials wasted during manufacturing, such as scraps, trimmings, and defective products. Shares of recycled content in permanent magnets will support recycling in the EU.
By mid-2026, an action plan will also support domestic fertilisers and recycled nutrients as well as alternatives to tackle dependencies on fertilisers made from critical raw materials.
Promote critical raw materials projects by de-risking investments and fast-tracking permitting
The Commission will accelerate EU-relevant projects by mobilising financial de-risking tools and removing regulatory bottlenecks to fast-track Strategic Projects with the potential to reduce dependencies by up to 50% by 2029. The EU will mobilise up to €3 billion over the next 12 months to support concrete projects that can provide alternative supplies in the short term. The Commission, European Investment Bank and Member States are already unlocking financial support for priority projects, such as for the Vulcan's lithium extraction project in Germany, and the Greenland Resources' Malmbjerg molybdenum project.
Partner with like-minded countries for strong and diversified supply chains
The EU will deepen cooperation with like-minded partners to diversify supply and accelerate industrial cooperation, building on the existing 15 Strategic Partnerships signed with resource-rich countries, with South Africa being the most recent one. The Commission will also launch negotiations with Brazil. The EU is also working on dedicated investment frameworks for integrated critical raw materials value chains with Ukraine, Western Balkans and its Southern Neighbourhood. The Commission will further pursue win-win investment projects under Global Gateway with emerging markets and developing economies. Internally, the EU supports the Canada-led G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance and the G7 roadmap for standards-based markets and will promote strong diversification through G20 Critical Minerals Framework.
Background
President von der Leyen announced the RESourceEU plan at the Berlin Global Dialogue last October. It aims to secure raw materials for key industrial sectors, from automotives to industrial motors, from defence to aerospace, or AI chips to data centres, and protect EU value chains from supply disruptions. The recent weaponisation of CRMs by dominant market players highlighted the need to accelerate existing efforts to enhance security of supply. The Action Plan builds on the Critical Raw Materials Act to reduce the EU's dependencies more rapidly by proposing concrete policy and financing tools.
For more information:
RESourceEU Action Plan
Proposal for targeted amendments to the European Critical Raw Materials Act
Questions and answers on RESourceEU Action Plan
Factsheet on RESourceEU Action Plan
Today, Europe acts on its independence in critical raw materials. With the RESourceEU Action Plan, we are equipping ourselves with the tools we need to accelerate our own production, and diversify our supply, of critical raw materials. This ranges from new financing to facilitated regulatory procedures, all the way to reinforced & new international partnerships. In this global race for the materials our industries need the most, RESourceEU is an engine of our industrial sovereignty. A cornerstone of Europe’s economic security.
Commission welcomes political agreement on revised rules protecting travellers and helping package travel organisers
The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached last night between the European Parliament and the Council on the revised Package Travel Directive. With these new rules, we strengthen the protection of travellers, and we improve the situation for the package travel organisers' sector, a sector largely composed by SMEs and micro-enterprises. The Package Travel Directive covers pre-arranged package holidays, but also combinations of different types of travel services, such as accommodation or car rental, and offers a high level of protection to consumers. The COVID-19 crisis, which led to mass cancellations, highlighted several gaps and problems in the application of the Directive and prompted a revision of the current rules.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “With cleaner and leaner rules, we are making life easier for not only consumers, but also for companies operating these services, most of which are SMEs. This is yet another successful drive to the Commission' simplification agenda”.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: “Travel packages promise a smooth, all-in holiday experience. But recent crises have shown how quickly that promise can be shaken for thousands of travellers. With these targeted amendments, consumers can book with confidence, backed by clearer, simpler and crisis-proof rules that work for both travellers and businesses. This is another key step on delivering on our consumer protection agenda.”
The new rules will reinforce travellers' rights, including during crisis situations and strengthen the travel industry overall by ensuring legal certainty for both companies and consumers.
More information is available in our press release.
(For more information: Markus Lammert - Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Antoine Lomba - Tel.: +32 2 299 32 33)
Commission proposes EU Agenda for Cities to shape Europe's urban future
Today, the European Commission unveiled the EU Agenda for Cities, reinforcing urban development policy and fortifying the role of cities in Europe's future growth and development.
The EU Agenda for Cities offers a strategic vision to empower cities in tackling local challenges contributing to meeting broader EU goals. It provides a unified framework to strengthen the territorial and urban dimensions of EU policies and streamline existing support for urban areas. Furthermore, it calls for more dialogue with local authorities about their needs and experiences to inform future EU policies and legislation.
More information is available in a press release online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: + +32 2 296 64 83; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha +32 2 295 21 17)
Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative on human rights standards
Today, the European Commission has registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), entitled ‘No more double standards on human rights'.
The initiative invites the Commission “to propose a regulation that establishes a standardised oversight of human rights across its areas of competence in its external action with third countries”. According to the organisers, the “regulation should ensure that the Commission monitors, evaluates, and responds to human rights violations in a manner that is transparent, consistent, effective, proportionate and timely”.
As this initiative fulfils the formal conditions established in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it legally admissible under the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. The registration does not influence the Commission's final decision on its merits, or any potential action it may take. The Commission will make a decision on the initiative only if the organisers collect at least 1 million support statements from EU citizens.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Antoine Lomba – Tel.: +32 2 299 32 33)
Commission report shows a well-functioning EU Emissions Trading System is driving down power sector emissions
The European Commission has adopted the 2025 Carbon Market Report. It shows the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is effective and well-functioning, based on data from 2024 and relevant developments in the first half of 2025. The report provides evidence on how the EU ETS continued to drive emission reductions in the power sector and industry in 2024, incentivising decarbonisation and raising revenues to boost investment in the clean transition. EU ETS emissions from power and industry installations are now around 50% below 2005 levels, on track to achieve the 2030 target of -62% emissions set in EU legislation.
The report shows that in 2024 emissions from installations in the power sector fell by nearly 11% compared to 2023. Renewable electricity production continued to increase (primarily in terms of wind and solar electricity) and gas continued to replace coal in power generation. The share of emissions in the EU ETS from hard coal combustion reached a historical low in 2024.
In the aviation sector, emissions increased in 2024 by around 15% above 2023 levels. Around half of the increase reflects the continued growth of emissions in the sector, and the other part is due to coverage of tourist flights to the EU's outermost regions. To further tackle these emissions, free allocation of carbon allowances to aircraft operators continued to be gradually phased down and the system started rewarding airlines for their use of sustainable aviation fuels.
The year 2024 was also the first time that CO2 emissions from maritime transport were included in the EU ETS. Shipping companies surrendered allowances for more than 99% of their relevant surrendering requirements. This high compliance rate shows that the start of EU ETS for maritime ran smoothly, which is great news. The EU ETS for shipping covers 100% of emissions for intra-EU voyages, and 50% of emissions from voyages departing or arriving outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).
€38.8 billion of EU ETS revenues were raised in 2024, exceeding a total of €250 billion to date. These revenues are an important funding source to tackle climate change, progress on the clean transition and invest in clean and innovative energy technologies. They are distributed primarily to Member States and also used to finance the Innovation Fund, the Modernisation Fund, and the Resilience and Recovery Facility for the REPowerEU plan.
More information on the 2025 Carbon Market Report is available online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen opens Safer Internet Forum focusing on age-appropriate use of Internet
Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen will participate in the Safer Internet Forum to discuss how to ensure an age-appropriate use of Internet, so children can make responsible choices and enjoy the digital world.
Discussions with policymakers, researchers, caretakers and children themselves will centre around the importance of age-appropriate environments online, on supporting parents in guiding their kids online, as well as on the video games environment. The latter will be a session led by young moderators.
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen said: “Our digital future rests on protecting children and empowering young people online. The Safer Internet Forum is an opportunity to hear from everyone that can make that happen, including from children themselves. It is another step we are taking to shape a safer, more enjoyable and enriching online environment.”
The Executive Vice-President will be joined by the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
The protection of children online is one of the priorities of this Commission, as expressed by President Ursula von der Leyen. Today's forum will contribute to the work already done at EU level, including the publication of guidelines on the protection of minors under the Digital Services Act, the blueprint for an age verification solution, and enforcement actions to ensure adequate safeguards for minors on online platforms in the EU.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat — Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85)
European Commission designates Special Envoy for the EU-Canada partnership
The European Commission has decided to designate Joost Korte as Special Envoy for the EU-Canada partnership. In this capacity, he will report directly to the President. This decision takes effect immediately.
The EU-Canada partnership is a commitment based on shared values and policy priorities and a long history of close cooperation, thanks also to the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement, and the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. This designation follows the EU-Canada Summit of 23 June in Brussels, where leaders agreed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the European Union and Canada, setting an ambitious way forward to enhance bilateral cooperation in several key areas.
In his new role, Joost Korte will reinforce the strategic steer and coordination of the implementation of that partnership, notably to ensure effective follow-up of the commitments falling within the scope of the Commission's competences, branching through several Commission services and will coordinate closely with the European External Action Service.
Joost Korte, a Dutch national, as a distinguished carrier in the European Commission, he served as Director-General of DG EMPL from 2018 to 2023. Before this, he was Deputy Director-General in the European Commission's Trade Department, in the Agriculture and Rural Development Department as well as in the Enlargement Department. Furthermore, Mr Korte spent several years in the Commission's Secretariat General as Director responsible for the relations with the Council of Ministers and gained extensive experience in the Private offices of Sir Leon Brittan, Chris Patten and Danuta Hübner. Mr Korte joined the European Commission in 1991, following eight years of academic work on European law at the Universities of Utrecht and Edinburgh.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
European Commission appoints a new Director for its Directorate-General for Budget
The European Commission today appointed Marco Abate as Director for Resources and IT at the Directorate-General for Budget (DG BUDG). This Directorate-General manages the EU budget and ensures that it is used responsibly, transparently and in line with the Union's priorities. It helps shape both the long-term EU budget and the annual budgets, working closely with other Commission departments, EU institutions and Member States. The date of effect will be determined later.
Drawing on 30 years of experience within the European Commission, Mr Abate has developed broad and in-depth competence across multiple policy domains, spanning from human resources management, budget and finance, to procurement, and internal control systems. He played a pivotal role in the modernisation efforts of the Legal Service in terms of organisational structures, also contributing to the implementation of the innovative Unified Litigation Management system. This key operational transformation across services allowed services to be up-to date with organisational needs. Also, he possesses a solid record of guiding HR for the Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom. Mr Abate consistently anticipates emerging HR and IT challenges, ensuring the administration remains agile and aligned with a rapidly evolving world. His vast institutional background equips him with the strategic, organisational, and operational perspective necessary to guide DG BUDG's resources and IT initiatives into the future.
Marco Abate, an Italian national, is currently Head of Unit of HRC, Finance, Procurement, Internal Control and Document Management at DG BUDG. He previously served as Head of Unit of HR Correspondent, Finance and Digital Solutions at the Legal Service. He has also held the position of Deputy Head of Unit at the UK Task Force, in charge of coordination, planning and administrative support. Prior to this, he worked as policy assistant to the Principal adviser of the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United-Kingdom (TF50). He joined the Commission in 1995.
Statement by President von der Leyen with Commissioner Jorgensen and Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, on the provisional agreement on the phasing out of Russian fossil fuels under REPowerEU
Good morning to all of you and a very warm welcome to you, Fatih Birol,
And congratulations to Commissioner Dan Jorgensen,
It was a short night for our negotiators. And today is a historic day for our Union. Last night, we reached a provisional agreement on the Commission's proposal to fully phase out Russian fossil fuels. We are turning that page. We are turning it for good. This is the dawn of a new era. The era of Europe's full energy independence from Russia.
Many believed this would be impossible. Well, the figures speak for themselves, let me give you some. Today, Russian gas imports – LNG and pipeline - are down from 45% to 13%, coal imports, from 51% to now zero, and on crude oil, from 26% to 2%. I always knew we could deliver. With unity, with resolve, and by building on the extraordinary work of the past three years. With our REPowerEU plan, we overcame the worst energy crisis in decades. We saved energy together while ensuring energy security all the way. We diversified our supplies to trusted partners signing new partnerships. And we invested in renewables and nuclear at unprecedented speed. Today, half of our electricity comes from renewables. And if you look at the low carbon energy, nuclear and renewable it is 74%. And this is just the beginning. REPowerEU kept us safe, winter after winter. It kept the lights on in Europe's schools and hospitals. It kept homes warm across the Union. This is a true European success story.
As we slashed Russian imports of fossil fuels massively, we also cut the revenues that Russia uses to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine. We were paying Russia EUR 12 billion per month at the beginning of the war for fossil fuels- now we are down to EUR 1,5 billion per month, still too much, and we aim to bring it down to zero.
My final point, as part of its aggression, Russia has been attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure winter after winter for the past three years. Winter after winter, Europe helped keep the lights on.
Dear Fatih, Dear Dan,
You both worked hard. You remember our joint effort last year to repair, reconnect, and stabilise Ukraine's energy system. We will do it again this year. We will help repair the damage caused by the Russian strikes. We have already provided more than 16,000 power generators and transformers. And we are stabilising Ukraine's energy grid, with over 2 gigawatts of electricity exports from our Union to Ukraine. We will continue to support immediate needs. And help build a more resilient Ukrainian energy system for the long term.
To conclude. This is a great day for Europe, and for our independence from Russian fossil fuels. Because this is how we make Europe resilient. I want to thank the Commissioner, the Council and the Parliament. This is European team work at its best. And this includes your precious advice, dear Fatih, over all these years, thank you very much for that.
Remarks by Commissioner Jørgensen on the provisional agreement on the phasing out of Russian fossil fuels under REPowerEU
"Check against delivery"
Madame President, dear Fatih.
Today is indeed a good day for Europe, a good day for Ukraine, and a very bad day for Russia.
Today we close the taps on Russian gas.
It is a historic decision.
It is an unprecedented decision.
But it is a necessary one.
Putin has weaponised energy against us.
Putin has blackmailed Member States of the European Union.
And he has used the profits to finance a terrible war against our friends in Ukraine.
Today we say: No more! And never again!
We will never go back to our dangerous dependence on Russia. To volatile supplies and market manipulation. To energy blackmail and economic exposure.
Instead, we choose a new future, of energy security and independence for Europe. In which we harness our own clean, homegrown, and affordable energy.
This is a change that Europe is prepared for. It is a step that we are ready to make. The phaseout will be careful, gradual, and coordinated.
So, the details: six weeks after this Regulation enters into force, new short-term and long-term contracts will be prohibited.
Then, we will deal with the remaining imports under existing contracts:
This will lead to a full phaseout of Russian gas from EU markets in Autumn 2027.
Apart from gas. We also target the remaining imports of Russian oil to the EU.
At the beginning of next year, we will table a legislative proposal to ban imports of all Russian oil.
We have to do this as soon as possible, and no later than by the end of 2027.
So, to conclude:
We choose security for our people. Stability for our economy. Independence for Europe. And, once again, we stand by Ukraine.
Fatih, thank you so much for your advice in this process. Madame President, thank you so much for your leadership.
EU agrees to permanently stop Russian gas imports and phase out Russian oil
The European Union will effectively and permanently stop the import of Russian gas and move towards the phaseout of Russian oil under the provisional political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council today. This historic decision will end the EU's dependence on an unreliable supplier, which has repeatedly destabilised European energy markets, put at risk security of supply with energy blackmail and harmed the European economy. As set out in the REPowerEU Roadmap, the full phaseout of Russian fossil fuels is an essential step to guarantee Europe's energy independence, competitiveness, resilience and market stability.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Today, we enter the era of Europe's full energy independence from Russia. REPowerEU has delivered. It shielded us from the worst energy crisis in decades, and it helped us to transition from Russian fossil fuels at record speed. Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. By depleting Putin's war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector”.
A permanent ban on Russian gas imports
Today's agreement ensures a gradual but permanent end of Russian gas imports with LNG imports phased out by 31 December 2026 and pipeline gas by 30 September 2027. Exceptionally, Member States may extend this deadline until 31 October 2027 in case their storage levels are below the required filling levels. In particular:
Therefore, by November 2027 the latest, the EU will have phased out, once and for all, Russian gas imports.
Under the political agreement, strong safeguards against circumvention are included, all in addition to customs control and surveillance framework which is already in place. Provisions to enhance the transparency, monitoring, and traceability of Russian gas within EU markets will support the effective implementation of the import ban.
For Russian gas imported during the transition period, prior authorisation comes with the submission of very detailed information to make sure that imports are limited to volumes based on historical (existing) contracts. Concerning the import of non-Russian gas, importers need to provide information on the country of production; while exempted countries are those exporters which supplied 5 bcm to the EU in 2024 and have either sanctions in place or have no infrastructure to import gas.
A gradual and coordinated phase-out of Russian fossil fuels
According to the deal, Member States will have to submit national diversification plans outlining measures to diversifying their gas and oil supplies by 1 March 2026. They will also be required to notify the Commission within one month of the Regulation's entry into force whether they have Russian gas supply contracts or national legal bans in place.
The Commission will undertake an assessment of the plans and issue recommendations, where appropriate, no later than three months after receiving the plans. Moreover, the Commission is ready to support the Member States throughout the entire process.
To avoid circumvention of the gas ban, the new Regulation establishes monitoring mechanisms and the obligation for authorities to cooperate and exchange information on imports of natural gas. The Commission will support the Member States and will monitor closely, together with EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the progress and impacts of the phase-out of Russian gas and oil imports.
The measures set out in the Regulation will be deployed in carefully timed and well-coordinated manner with the Member States, to minimise possible impacts on prices, stabilise markets through secure and predictable alternative supplies and provide legal certainty.
The Commission remains committed to ensure the phase out of all remaining oil imports from Russia by the end of 2027, in line with the Versailles Declaration. A legislative proposal to ban Russian oil imports will be tabled early next year.
Following this political agreement, the text will need to be translated into all EU languages and then formally approved by the European Parliament and Council. Adoption in the Council will require qualified majority. Following this formal adoption the text will be published in the Official Journal.
EU leaders agreed on the phase-out of Russian energy in the Versailles Declaration of March 2022. As an immediate response to the war in Ukraine and Russia's weaponisation of energy supplies, the European Commission put forward the REPowerEU Plan in May 2022. Since the beginning of the war, EU's dependency on Russian gas fell from 45% of overall imports to 13% in the first half of 2025. Still, 35 bcm of Russian gas made their way into the EU energy system last year, worth an estimated 10 billion euros in current prices. All imports of Russian coal have been banned by sanctions, oil imports have shrunk from 27% at the beginning of 2022 to 2% now.
The Commission adopted on 6 May 2025 the REPowerEU Roadmap paving the way to ensure the EU's full energy independence from Russia. On 17 June 2025, the Commission then tabled this legislative proposal to effectively ban all imports of Russian gas and ensure a phaseout of Russian oil.
In October, the Council adopted the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, with the aim of reducing the revenues for Russia from energy exports, banning imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as of 1 January 2027 for long‑term contracts, and within six months as of the entry into force of the sanctions for short‑term contracts.
EU to fully end its dependency on Russian energy
Today, we enter the era of Europe’s full energy independence from Russia. REPowerEU has delivered. It shielded us from the worst energy crisis in decades, and it helped us to transition from Russian fossil fuels at record speed. Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. By depleting Putin’s war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector.
Finally, and for good, we are turning off the tap on Russian gas. Europe has chosen energy security and independence. We will never go back to our dangerous dependence on Russia. We will never go back to volatile supplies and market manipulation. We will never go back to energy blackmail and economic exposure. And we stand stronger than ever with Ukraine in its quest for freedom.
Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing
EU-Funded Construction Works Start on the 1st Phase of the Pedieos River / Kanlıdere Rehabilitation Project
Construction works are starting on the first phase of the Pedieos River / Kanlıdere Rehabilitation Project, funded by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. Implemented by United Nations Development Programme, this EU-funded effort marks the beginning of on-site improvements that will enhance public space, access to nature and the overall connectivity around the river flowing through Nicosia.
This first phase covers 1.2 kilometres where works will include a two-way bicycle lane, a sidewalk and a green belt forming an access route leading towards the river. Construction has already begun as of the end of November 2025 and is expected to conclude by the end of February 2026. When completed, this part of the project will offer safer and more comfortable walking and cycling paths leading into the wider rehabilitation area.
This work is part of a larger EU-funded plan to create a 3.7-kilometre linear park in the northern part of Nicosia which will also connect to the southern parts of the city through the Ledra Palace crossing. The project will provide more places for leisure, improve the natural environment along the river and create shared public spaces that support everyday interactions. By bringing communities together, the project contributes to wider peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in Cyprus.
The Pedieos River / Kanlıdere rehabilitation project builds on extensive preparatory work, including a feasibility study carried out by the European Commission in 2018-2019. UNDP finalised the design in September 2024, drawing on environmental studies and input from different stakeholders.
With this investment, the European Union aims to restore the river environment, enhance local biodiversity and support a more sustainable and better-connected urban landscape, while helping to foster trust through improved shared spaces.
For further information and media enquiries please contact UNDP at: registry.cy@undp.org
European Union
The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, based on Council Regulation 389/2006, aims at facilitating the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the EU body of laws (also referred to as acquis communautaire).
For more information please visit:
Support to the Turkish Cypriot community - European Commission
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