EU approves phasing out Russian gas from 2026
The European Union has taken a key step towards energy independence from Russia. The European Parliament has passed a law that provides for a gradual ban on Russian gas imports and tighter control over compliance with the new rules.
According to the decision, imports of Russian liquefied natural gas under spot contracts will be banned immediately after the regulations come into force in early 2026. Pipeline gas supplies from Russia are to be completely stopped by 30 September 2027. During the negotiations, the terms of cancellation of most contracts were reduced.
The new rules also provide for unified maximum fines for companies in case of violation of the ban. Operators will be obliged to provide customs authorities with detailed evidence of the country of origin of gas to prevent sanctions circumvention.
Separately, the European Parliament has achieved an obligation of the European Commission to prepare legislation on a complete ban on Russian oil imports. The relevant proposal is expected to be submitted in early 2026, so that the ban will come into force no later than the end of 2027. The requirements for a possible temporary suspension of the ban have also been strengthened only in case of extreme threats to the EU's energy security.
500 deputies voted in favour of the document, 120 voted against, and 32 abstained. After formal approval by the EU Council, the law will be published in the Official Journal.
The European Parliament stressed that this is a response to Russia's long-standing use of energy resources as a tool of pressure. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia's actions led to a sharp reduction in supplies and an increase in energy prices in Europe by up to eight times the pre-crisis level.
