EU Faces Opposition From Hungary, Slovakia, Kremlin Over 2027 Russian Energy Ban Amid Economic Concerns and Von der Leyen's Rejection

The European Union's plan to end imports of Russian energy by 2027 has faced strong opposition from several member states and the Kremlin. The Kremlin spokesman criticized the EU's proposal, stating that Europe is acting against its own interests and likened the move to shooting itself in the foot. Hungary's government, including Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the Hungarian Foreign Minister, labeled the EU's plan a serious mistake and vowed to oppose the ban, arguing it would violate national sovereignty and increase energy costs. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico also condemned the plan, describing it as "economic suicide" and warning it would raise gas prices and harm the EU's competitiveness more than Russia's.

Fico suggested the proposal risks creating a new division between Eastern and Western Europe. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, firmly rejected any possibility of returning to Russian fossil fuels after the war in Ukraine ends, calling such a move a "mistake of historic dimensions" and emphasizing the risks to European security and economy. The opposition from Hungary and Slovakia highlights geopolitical and economic challenges within the EU regarding energy dependency and the transition away from Russian supplies.