European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized today (March 9, 2024) that the EU remains focused on its strategy for gradually cutting off Russian gas supplies. “We are committed to phasing out reliance on Russian natural gas. This is absolutely necessary,” stated von der Leyen to reporters in Brussels. “We have succeeded in our efforts, but we always see there are loopholes where we must remain vigilant and work on them.” According to a report by ertnews, this stance comes at a critical moment following the EU Summit, where von der Leyen also referenced Ukraine after the summit’s conclusion, saying: “The EU has secured Ukraine’s economic survival until 2025; the EU is now investing capital in Ukraine’s defense industry and providing the military capabilities Ukraine needs, as well as ensuring the country’s energy system survives the winter. There are many examples showing how crucial it is for Europe to reach a positive outcome, which means peace through strength that benefits everyone,” added the president of the European Commission.