European Union member states have reached an agreement to completely end imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027, marking a major step toward reducing the bloc’s long-standing energy dependence on Russia.
The decision, approved by EU Energy Ministers during a meeting in Luxembourg, supports the European Commission’s proposal to phase out both pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries from Russia. The measure will now move to the European Parliament for final approval.
Denmark’s Energy Minister Lars Aagaard, representing the current EU presidency, called the move a crucial milestone in Europe’s pursuit of energy independence. The regulation is part of the EU’s broader plan to replace Russian fossil fuels with diversified and renewable energy sources, a goal that has become increasingly urgent since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Although the European Commission initially aimed to end LNG imports a year earlier, by January 2027, such restrictions fall under the EU’s sanctions framework, which requires unanimous agreement among all 27 member states—a target often hard to reach. Hungary and Slovakia, both heavily dependent on Russian gas and maintaining close relations with Moscow, opposed the decision. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto argued that the move could jeopardize Hungary’s energy security, citing the country’s landlocked position and limited supply alternatives. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also reiterated his opposition to energy sanctions against Russia, which had previously delayed approval of earlier sanction packages.
Under the new plan, no new contracts for Russian gas imports will be allowed after January 1, 2026. Existing short-term contracts can continue until June 17, 2026, while long-term supply agreements will be fully phased out by January 1, 2028.
Although Russian pipeline deliveries to Europe have dropped sharply since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, imports of Russian LNG by sea have increased in several member states, including France, Belgium, and Hungary. Russia currently accounts for about 12 percent of the EU’s total gas supply, down significantly from 45 percent before the war.
The European Commission’s broader sanctions package, designed to complement the new regulation, could receive final approval later this week. Once enacted, the measure would represent one of the EU’s most significant collective steps to cut financial ties with Russia and strengthen the bloc’s transition toward cleaner and more secure energy sources.
