Von Der Leyen Ruled Out Lifting Sanctions Against Russia Until The War In Ukraine Ends

• 21.10.2026, 18:08

The President of the European Commission also stated that Moscow “is not a reliable supplier of energy resources.”

The European Union will not lift its energy sanctions against Russia until the war in Ukraine ends. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made this statement at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg; a video recording of the session has been published on website of the European Commission’s audiovisual service.

According to her, EU countries imposed energy sanctions against Russia due to the outbreak of the war against Ukraine. “And in light of the current discussions, I want to be absolutely clear. These sanctions will remain in place until Russia ends the war,” she said.

Von der Leyen also stated that Moscow “is not a reliable energy supplier.” “Our experience shows that it [Russia] can at any moment use energy dependence as a weapon to blackmail others. This is a lesson that Europe will certainly not forget,” said the head of the European Commission.

She acknowledged that the EU remains dependent on foreign fossil fuels. To reduce energy costs, the European Commission will prepare a plan to create a “true European Energy Union,” the Commission President added. von der Leyen linked this to the development of networks, interconnections between countries’ power grids, and joint procurement.