The European Commission is reviewing a proposal to speed up the introduction of a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of the bloc’s 19th sanctions package against Moscow. The move comes in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The package would impose a complete ban on Russian LNG imports after 1 January 2027, one year earlier than the planned phase-out of pipeline gas.
Pressure from Washington is influencing the debate. US President Donald Trump has urged European governments to toughen sanctions targeting Russian energy revenues, arguing that stronger EU action would allow him to intensify US pressure on Moscow. His demands include ending all European purchases of Russian oil and imposing tariffs on China and India, two of the largest buyers of Russian fossil fuels.
Within the EU, negotiations are already underway on a plan to fully phase out imports of Russian oil and gas by 1 January 2028. A ban on short-term contracts for these fuels is scheduled to take effect next year.
