An end to gas dependency: the EU has finally abandoned Russian gas
26 January 12:34
Today, January 26, the Council of the European Union approved a complete ban on the supply of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU from January 1, 2027, and pipeline gas from September 30, 2027.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Council of the European Union.
On Monday, all 27 EU member states adopted a regulation on the phased cessation of imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas to the EU.
According to the regulation, imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG to the EU will be banned. The ban will take effect six weeks after the regulation enters into force. Existing contracts will have a transition period.
This phased approach will limit the impact on prices and markets. The total ban will take effect for LNG imports from the beginning of 2027 and for pipeline gas imports from the fall of 2027.
Before allowing gas imports into the Union, EU countries will check the country where the gas was produced.
Failure to comply with the new rules could result in maximum fines of at least €2.5 million for individuals and at least €40 million for companies, at least 3.5% of the company’s total annual worldwide turnover or 300% of the estimated turnover of the transactions.
“From today, the EU energy market will be stronger, more resilient, and more diversified. We are moving away from our harmful dependence on Russian gas and taking an important step towards creating an autonomous Energy Union in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation,” said Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Michael Damianou.
The EU’s rejection of Russian gas
After the start of full-scale war in Ukraine, energy dependence on Russia became one of the key issues for the EU, and Russian fuel is gradually being pushed out of the European market.
On December 3, 2025, representatives of the European Council and the European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement on the complete cessation of Russian natural gas imports by 2027.
On December 17, the European Parliament supported the EU’s plan to gradually phase out gas purchases from Russia by the end of 2027.
The EU has stated that it will not return to energy supplies from Russia even after the war ends.
