The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a preliminary political agreement on a regulation that will phase out imports of Russian natural gas. If the document is finally adopted, the EU will completely abandon Russian gas by the end of 2027.
According to the press service of the Council of the EU, the decision is part of the REPowerEU plan aimed at increasing Europe’s energy independence. The regulation provides for a legally binding ban on imports of both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
For long-term contracts, restrictions on pipeline gas will come into effect no later than November 1, 2027, and on LNG – from January 1, 2027. Short-term agreements concluded before June 2025 will receive a transition period: the ban on LNG will start on April 25, 2026, and on pipeline gas – on June 17, 2026.
To enforce the rules, EU countries will introduce a system of prior authorization for Russian gas imports. Any changes to contracts will be allowed only for technical reasons, and violations will be subject to fines for companies and individuals.
The regulation also requires member states to develop national plans for the diversification of energy supplies. Similar obligations apply to those countries that still import Russian oil. The European Commission plans to propose legislative initiatives to end oil supplies from Russia by the end of 2027 at the latest.
The preliminary decision still needs final approval by the EU Council and the European Parliament.
Recall that during the full-scale invasion , the European Union spent 124 billion euros more on Russian goods and energy resources than on aid to Ukraine.
By the way, last week the price of Russian Urals oil fell to $36 per barrel, setting the lowest level in the last 2.5 years. The drop came on the eve of the entry into force of new US sanctions against two of Russia’s largest oil companies.
