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.

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed legally-binding measures to cut off the European Union's imports of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas imports by the end of 2027, which would end decades-old energy relations with Europe's former top gas supplier.

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.