The European Union has reached a landmark agreement to completely phase out Russian gas imports by autumn 2027, marking one of its most decisive steps yet to cut Moscow’s energy revenues as the Ukraine war nears its fourth year. The deal, finalised after lengthy negotiations between EU institutions and member states, outlines a staged withdrawal from both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Under the plan, no new long-term pipeline gas contracts with Russian suppliers will be allowed after September 30, 2027, and absolutely none beyond November 1, 2027. Long-term LNG deals will end earlier, from January 1, 2027. Short-term LNG contracts will cease from April 25, 2026, while short-term pipeline gas arrangements will stop from June 17, 2026. The agreement also allows companies to terminate existing deals using force majeure once the ban takes effect.
The Council said the policy aims to end dependence on Russian energy following the use of gas as a geopolitical tool. The European Commission will also prepare a roadmap to phase out Russian oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia by end-2027.
The shift comes after a steep drop in Russian gas imports, from 45% of EU supply in 2021 to 19% in 2024. Yet Russia remains a major LNG source, with imports expected to reach €15 billion this year.
Alongside the energy ban, the EU is debating how to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s budget and military needs through 2027. Belgium, which holds the largest share of these assets, has raised legal and financial objections, calling proposed reparation loans too risky.
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