EU auditors warn Russian energy exit is stalling

On 9 September 2026, the European Court of Auditors concluded that the European Union’s strategy to end its reliance on Russian oil and gas is stalling. The assessment focuses on the implementation of measures designed to replace Russian energy supplies and reduce vulnerability ahead of key deadlines set for 2027.

The auditors examined progress under the EU’s broader plan to shift away from Russian fossil fuels and found that current efforts fall short of what is needed. Their findings highlight structural and financial gaps that could leave the bloc exposed to renewed energy stress.

The ECA reported that EU member states had committed €54.3 billion to the measures intended to replace Russian oil and gas. This compares with the European Commission’s estimate that about €300 billion would be required to fully deliver the plan.

The shortfall suggests that a large portion of the planned investment has yet to be secured. Without closing this gap, the auditors indicate that the EU may struggle to build out alternative supply, efficiency, and infrastructure projects in time.

The audit noted that Russian gas imports had fallen to about 12% of the bloc’s gas imports by 2025, down from about 45% before 2022. However, the auditors found that this reduction was not solely the result of policy measures under the EU’s energy strategy.

They highlighted that mild weather and high energy prices played a significant role in cutting demand for gas, contributing to the decline in imports from Russia. This raises questions about how durable the shift will be if such temporary factors ease.

The ECA found that the REPowerEU initiative’s direct contribution to new renewable energy capacity has been negligible compared with the European Commission’s target of 103 gigawatts. This indicates that the expansion of renewables under this specific framework has so far lagged behind expectations.

Auditors also identified insufficient cross‑border grid infrastructure as a key weakness. Limited interconnections between national energy systems could make it harder to share supplies efficiently in times of stress, undermining the resilience the plan aims to build.

The audit underlined that the EU timetable includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports from 1 January 2027. It also refers to a phase‑out of Russian pipeline gas later in 2027, tightening the timeframe for securing alternative arrangements.

With these deadlines approaching, the auditors warned that underinvestment and infrastructure constraints heighten the risk of future price spikes and supply pressure. They called for accelerated implementation and investment to keep the phase‑out schedule on track and to strengthen energy security across the bloc.