BRUSSELS (BN24) — The European Union on Friday proposed a new sanctions package aimed at fast-tracking the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by January 2027, a full year ahead of the previously set deadline. This move is part of ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s war economy and reduce its financial support for the invasion of Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that cutting off Russian fossil fuel revenue is essential for destabilizing Moscow’s war efforts. “Revenues from fossil fuels sustain Russia’s war economy. We want to cut these revenues. So we are banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets,” von der Leyen said. “It is time to turn off the tap.”
The proposed LNG ban comes amid mounting U.S. pressure on Europe to sever fossil fuel imports from Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump has long urged European countries to take stronger action against Russian energy exports, including oil, while calling for more robust sanctions on Russia. Trump has also said he would support further sanctions if European nations reduce their reliance on Russian energy and impose additional tariffs on China.
The European Union has already implemented several sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine, including banning most Russian oil imports, which have decreased by more than 90% since early 2021. This new LNG phase-out proposal continues that trend, signaling the EU’s commitment to reducing energy ties with Moscow.
While the EU initially pledged to end LNG imports by 2028, the new sanctions aim to advance that target by one year, to eliminate all Russian LNG imports by January 2027. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized this accelerated timeline, stating, “We aim to speed up the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas by 1 January 2027.” She added that this measure would ensure that Russia “pays the price” for continuing its military aggression.
Despite efforts to reduce dependence, Russia still supplies a significant share of Europe’s energy needs. In 2024, Russian gas accounted for 19% of the EU’s total supply, down from 45% before the war. This decline has been partially offset by a surge in LNG imports, mostly arriving via sea shipments. The EU received 32 billion cubic meters of Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline and 20 billion cubic meters via LNG in the past year.
The United States has emerged as the EU’s largest supplier of LNG, providing nearly 45% of all LNG imports. This shift is part of Europe’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
As the EU accelerates the phase-out of Russian energy imports, its strategy aligns with a broader geopolitical effort to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its military actions. The success of this transition will depend on how quickly the EU can secure alternative energy sources while managing the economic impacts of the phase-out.
Slug: eu-russian-gas-phase-out-2027
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