The European Union has reached an agreement to implement a complete ban on Russian natural gas imports, nearly four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. EU diplomats and members of the European Parliament approved a phase-out timeline that will end all imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027, with earlier deadlines for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and short-term contractual deliveries.
The agreement also mandates that early next year the European Commission will propose a plan to halt all imports of Russian oil by 2027. While Russian crude is already partially restricted under existing EU sanctions, exemptions remain for Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to receive pipeline supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.
The 2027 target was a compromise between member states and the European Parliament, which had pushed for a faster cutoff. Hungary and Slovakia resisted for months, warning that a rapid ban could trigger shortages and sharp price increases.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen welcomed the agreement, calling it a decisive step toward ensuring Europe’s long-term energy security and ending reliance on Russian gas. Before the war, Russia supplied roughly 40% of the EU’s gas. After Moscow began limiting flows in late 2021, the EU accelerated diversification efforts and expanded renewable energy deployment. Today, most EU gas imports come from Norway and the United States.
Despite the drop in pipeline deliveries, Russian LNG exports to Europe increased since 2022, as traders sought lower prices on the spot market. The new rules aim to close this “backdoor” by requiring gas importers to provide customs authorities with certificates verifying the country of origin, preventing circumvention.
The agreement also includes an emergency clause: if a member state faces a supply crisis, the ban can be temporarily suspended. A detailed penalty system has been established to enforce compliance with the restrictions.
