**EU Moves to Cut Ties with Russian Gas Supplies**
The European Commission is taking steps to limit the EU’s reliance on Russian gas, a move aimed at reducing Moscow’s revenue that funds its war efforts in Ukraine. According to a senior EU official, the bloc is exploring options to ban new contracts for Russian gas supplies.
This decision comes as Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, with a goal of completely phasing out these supplies by 2027. The European Commission plans to present a detailed plan for achieving this goal by May 6.
The EU’s efforts to limit Russian gas imports have faced challenges in recent years. Despite declining pipeline gas supplies from Russia, the bloc increased its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) last year. In fact, the Financial Times reported that the EU’s imports of Russian LNG reached a record level in 2024.
**Russia’s War Efforts Continue**
Meanwhile, Russia continues to engage in military operations against Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin saying that his country is still missing key military equipment despite increased production efforts. Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to peace talks, citing concerns that Moscow might use a ceasefire as an opportunity to regroup and launch further attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the international community to ensure that any peace agreement does not give Russia a chance to recover and resume its military campaign. Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko echoed this sentiment, saying that Ukraine sees a full ceasefire as the first step towards achieving long-term peace.
**International Efforts to End the War**
The US has also presented a proposal for ending the war in Ukraine, which includes provisions for reducing Russian forces and establishing a mechanism for monitoring their compliance with any agreement. However, the diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have hit snags, with disagreements between top US and European diplomats reportedly delaying planned talks.
In related news, Russia’s military has continued its attacks on Ukrainian towns, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries. The Kremlin also announced that Russian air defenses intercepted drones at a factory producing Shahed-type drones in Tatarstan.
**Global Reaction**
The international community has been watching the developments in Ukraine closely. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sparked controversy by publicly voting against Ukraine’s accession to the EU, citing concerns about the country’s ability to meet certain economic criteria.
In contrast, Ukrainian officials have expressed gratitude for support from countries like the UK and France. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised these nations’ leadership and pledged to work together to strengthen Ukraine and achieve long-term peace.
**Conclusion**
The EU’s efforts to limit Russian gas imports are a significant step towards reducing Moscow’s revenue that funds its war efforts in Ukraine. However, the conflict remains unresolved, with Ukraine pushing for a full ceasefire as the first step towards achieving peace.
As international efforts continue to bring an end to the war, it remains to be seen whether diplomats can overcome their differences and find a solution that satisfies all parties involved.
