EU finally approves ban on Russian gas
EU countries have finally approved a law that provides for a complete ban on Russian gas imports. The decision was made at the level of the EU Council, according to Reuters.
The document sets out a clear schedule for the cessation of both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline fuel supplies from the Russian Federation.
What does the EU's decision imply
According to the adopted law:
Imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be stopped by the end of 2026;
pipeline gas supplies from russia will be stopped until 30 September 2027;
In case of a threat of shortages or problems with filling gas storage facilities, the EU may extend the transition period maximum until 1 November 2027.
Thus, the European Union has formally enshrined a complete energy refusal from Russian gas at the legislative level.
Who was against it
The following voted against the decision Hungary and Slovakia. Budapest has already announced its intention to challenge the law in the Court of Justice of the European Union, calling it a threat to national energy security.
Nevertheless, the majority of EU member states supported the ban, which allowed the document to be finally approved.
Context and significance of the decision
Before the start of the full-scale war, Russia provided over 40% of EU gas imports. After 2022, the Union countries actively diversified their supplies by increasing LNG imports from the US, Qatar and other partners.
У 2025 The share of Russian gas in EU imports decreased by about up to 13%, This became a prerequisite for the legal formalisation of the complete abandonment of energy resources in Russia.
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