EC admits that refusing from Russia energy cost EU countries dearly, but offers no compensations

BRUSSELS. June 16 (Interfax) - The European Union's refusal from Russian energy resource has cost EU members dearly, but the European Commission (EC) is envisioning no financial compensations for that, European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said.

"No, we are not offering compensation. Many member states have already stopped import of energy from Russia to great expense. Some have done it. Indeed, very fast and it has been very difficult for them," Jorgensen told a press conference in Luxembourg on Monday after a meeting of the EU energy council.

"Others now need to also take the final steps. I'm not, of course, neglecting that it is not an easy task. But it is the task that can be done [...] without the prices being affected significantly," Jorgensen said, when asked whether the EC would consider paying financial compensations some EU members are asking for because of the refusal from Russian energy.

He was also asked how a possible peace agreement on Ukraine could influence Russian energy supplies to Europe.

"What we are proposing is a ban, not a sanction. [...] A ban is a ban that will stand until somebody decides to change it," Jorgensen said, adding that in his view, even a quick conclusion of the agreement did not mean a resumption of Russian gas imports.