EU endorses ban on Russian pipeline gas and LNG imports

January 26, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

In a move to wean itself completely off Russian oil and gas imports, the European Union (EU) has given the green light for a ban on imports of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with oil expected to follow suit in 2027.

EU flag; Credit: Adrijana Buljan, Editor-in-Chief at offshoreWIND.biz, Offshore-Energy.biz's sibling site — EU flag; Credit: Adrijana Buljan, Editor-in-Chief at offshoreWIND.biz, Offshore-Energy.biz’s sibling site

In the aftermath of the Ukraine crisis, EU leaders agreed in the Versailles Declaration of March 2022 to phase out dependence on Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible, resulting in a significant decrease in gas and oil imports from Russia to the EU in recent years.

While imports of oil have dropped to below 3% in 2025 as a result of the current sanctions regime, Russian gas still accounts for an estimated 13% of imports in 2025, worth over €15 billion annually, perceived to leave the EU exposed to significant risks in terms of its trade and energy security.

As the 27 EU member states have now formally adopted the regulation on phasing out Russian imports of both pipeline gas and LNG into the European Union, the new rules also entail measures on effective monitoring and diversification of energy supply. The move is seen as a key milestone in delivering the REPowerEU objective of ending the EU’s reliance on Russian energy.

The regulation, which stipulates that importing Russian pipeline gas and LNG into the EU will be prohibited, will start to apply six weeks after the regulation enters into force, with existing contracts being granted a transition period. Before authorizing the entry of gas imports, EU countries will verify the country where the gas was produced.

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While this stepwise approach is anticipated to limit the impact on prices and markets, a full ban will take effect for LNG imports from the beginning of 2027 and for pipeline gas imports from autumn 2027.

Based on the new ban, non-compliance with the new rules may result in maximum penalties of at least €2.5 million for individuals and €40 million for companies, 3.5 % the company’s total worldwide annual turnover, or 300% of the estimated transaction turnover.

The EU countries need to prepare national plans to diversify gas supplies and identify potential challenges in replacing Russian gas by March 1, 2026. As a result, companies will be required to notify authorities and the European Commission of any remaining Russian gas contracts.

Those countries still importing Russian oil will also have to submit diversification plans. The European Commission may suspend the import ban for up to four weeks in the event of a declared emergency, and if security of supply is seriously threatened in one or more EU countries.

Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, commented: “As of today, the EU energy market will be stronger, more resilient and more diversified.

“We are breaking away from detrimental reliance on Russian gas and taking a major step, in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, towards an autonomous Energy Union.”

The new regulation, which will now be published in the Official Journal of the EU, will enter into force one day after publication and will apply directly in all EU countries.

The European Commission plans to propose legislation to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.