Estonia to phase out Russian gas in 2023

Estonia will refuse to purchase Russian gas from 2023, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said, Report informs.

The government adopted the relevant resolution on September 29.

“Now this (ban on supplies - ed.) is enshrined as a legally binding measure. From January 1, Estonia introduces national sanctions against Russian gas,” he said.

The minister added that the purpose of the restrictions is to put pressure on Russia and stop hostilities in Ukraine. “Natural gas is an important source of income for Russia and is used as a lever to influence the European Union,” the minister explained.

The ban will not affect households, authorities say, but it could put pressure on Estonian gas companies, whose operating license entitles them to import natural gas or provide gas transit services.