The European Commission intends to reduce purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) after the termination of Russian pipeline gas transit through Ukraine. European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told reporters at a meeting of the EU Council at the level of energy ministers.

"The European Commission will not join (negotiations) with Russia, as it did five years ago, when a trilateral agreement on gas transit was agreed. On the contrary, according to our RePowerUE plan, we have to get rid of Russian gas by 2027 at the latest," she said.

This means, the European Commissioner explained, that the EU is actively working to create alternative supply routes for countries that do not have access to the sea.

In April, the European Parliament is due to consider a proposal that would allow EU member states to impose an embargo on Russian LNG without waiting for European sanctions.