EU officially rejects Russian gas: Hungary challenges decision
3 February 12:14
The European Union’s REPowerEU regulation, which establishes a gradual phase-out of Russian pipeline and liquefied gas imports into the EU, has been published in the EU’s Official Journal and will enter into force on February 3.
This was reported by the EU press service, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
It is noted that the REPowerEU regulation on gas (EU/2026/261) establishes legal provisions for the gradual phasing out of natural gas imports from Russia and aims to finally end the EU’s dependence on Russian gas by 2027.
It will enter into force on February 3.
The regulation prohibits the following:
- from April 25, 2026: short-term contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG);
- from June 17, 2026: short-term contracts for pipeline gas;
- from January 1, 2027: long-term contracts for LNG imports;
- from September 30, 2027: imports of pipeline gas under long-term contracts.
In exceptional cases, EU member states may extend this deadline to October 31, 2027, if their gas storage facilities are below the required level.
Hungary challenges EU ban on Russian gas in court
Hungary is challenging the ban on Russian energy imports to the EU in the European Court of Justice, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said.
“I would like to make it clear that, from Hungary’s point of view, there are only more expensive and less reliable solutions. Without Russian crude oil and natural gas, it is impossible to guarantee either the security of the country’s energy supply or the maintenance of lower utility costs,” the minister said, as quoted by Telex.
According to Szijjártó, the legal process is likely to take one to two years.
EU on the way to abandoning Russian gas
On December 3, 2025, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU agreed on a preliminary plan that commits the European Union to permanently stop importing Russian gas and move towards a gradual phase-out of Russian oil.
The proposal includes the phasing out of new and existing energy supply contracts and is in line with the EU’s REPowerEU strategy.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports will be phased out by December 31, 2026, and pipeline gas imports by September 30, 2027.
The Commission is also exploring legal mechanisms that would allow European companies to terminate existing gas contracts with Russia by the end of 2027. However, experts point out that it will be extremely difficult to use “force majeure” as a basis for terminating agreements, and companies may face fines or arbitration claims.
