Fri Mar 28 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## EU’s Russian Gas Imports Surge 18% Despite 2027 Quit Promise
**Brussels, March 27** – The European Union’s imports of Russian natural gas increased by a significant 18 percent in 2023, despite ambitious pledges to end reliance on Russian energy by 2027, according to a new analysis by the energy think tank Ember. The report, released Thursday, reveals that Italy, France, and the Czech Republic were the biggest contributors to this rise, even as overall EU gas demand remained relatively stagnant. This unexpected surge underscores the challenges the EU faces in diversifying its energy sources and achieving its climate goals. The findings raise questions about the bloc’s ability to meet its ambitious timeline for phasing out Russian gas.
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