Austria joined Hungary and Slovakia on the gas issue

Austria has appealed to the European Commission with a proposal to preserve the possibility of resuming imports of Russian gas in the event of a peace agreement on Ukraine. A source from the Austrian Ministry of Energy stressed that Brussels needs to leave room for a review of current decisions after the end of the conflict.

A similar statement was made in Luxembourg by Austrian State Secretary for Energy Elisabeth Zechettner. This is the first time since 2022 that an EU country that was not previously «pro-Russian», such as Hungary or Slovakia, openly supported the possibility of returning to purchases of Russian gas.

Meanwhile, the EC plans to impose a complete ban on the conclusion of new contracts with Russia and requires the termination of existing agreements within two years. The proposed measures are expected to be implemented regardless of a possible peaceful resolution of the situation.

Hungary and Slovakia had previously opposed the initiative. Austria has now joined them, outlining its position in the context of the region's long-term energy security.