The EU must be open to resuming Russian gas imports in the event of a peace deal being brokered to end the war in Ukraine, Austria has said — one of few countries in the bloc to openly float such an option. Brussels “must maintain the option to reassess the situation once the war has ended”, the Austrian energy ministry told the Financial Times.

Russian gas accounted for about 19% of EU imports last year, down from roughly 45% before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and oil imports have declined to 3% from 27% in early 2022.

The European Union’s proposed ban on all Russian gas by the end of 2027 sets the stage for heated debate, with some member states nervous it will boost energy prices and cost companies millions of euros in legal fees.