European countries that continue to receive pipeline gas from Russia, it will be difficult to break contractual obligations with Moscow, using legal methods and even force majeure. This was stated by Reuters, citing experts and analysts.
‘[The European – ed.] Commission is exploring legal options that would allow European companies to invoke force majeure and terminate Russian gas supply contracts without penalty, as well as measures that would prohibit companies from entering into new contracts to supply Russian gas,’ the publication reads.
According to the agency, Western lawyers and analysts said the idea involving the use of force majeure by European companies was dubious, as Brussels had promised to end gas co-operation with Russia as early as 2022.
‘To declare force majeure, a supplier must violate the terms of the contract, for example, by failing to fulfil a delivery. But in the three years [of the conflict – ed.] it has been proven that the remaining Russian supplies work well,’ said independent energy lawyer Agnieszka Ason.
Legal experts said that imposing sanctions on Russian gas imports was the most effective measure to phase out the EU’s reliance on Russian gas.
‘This would require unanimous approval of all 27 EU countries, but Slovakia and Hungary are keen to maintain close political and business ties with Russia, and the latter has promised to block energy sanctions,’ Reuters added.
Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said that Budapest demanded that the European Commission guarantee energy security amid the prolonged Ukrainian crisis.
