EU To Reject Russian Liquefied Natural Gas A Year Early
- 19.09.2025, 12:33
As part of the 19th package of sanctions against Moscow.
The European Commission will propose to ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by January 1, 2027, a year earlier than planned.
This is reported by Bloomberg.
Sources said it would be done as part of the 19th package of sanctions against Moscow.
The European Union is preparing measures to accelerate the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas. The decision is being discussed just days after US President Donald Trump urged the EU to more actively restrict Moscow's energy trade.
The European Commission is considering including a clause in a new sanctions package to stop importing all Russian LNG earlier than the end of 2027. That deadline was originally the EU's target date. According to Bloomberg, the proposals could be submitted as early as Friday, September 19.
RePowerEU and possible amendments
Besides the sanctions package, the option to accelerate the phase-out of Russian gas is being considered through amendments to the RePowerEU plan. That document was developed in 2022 to reduce dependence on Moscow's energy.
"Ever since we presented the RePowerEU plan in 2022, we have been saying that the abandonment of Russian energy is better realized sooner rather than later," said European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen.
U.S. pressure
The Trump administration is urging Europe to cut Russian energy imports faster. Washington is also pushing to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and China over their purchases of Russian oil.
But many EU countries oppose such measures. Therefore, the European Commission has focused specifically on Russian LNG as the most realistic target for restrictions.
Market and Supply
The global gas market is forecast to move into surplus in the second half of next year. This will reduce the risk of shortages for Europe and help avoid price hikes amid the rejection of Russian gas.
The US has repeatedly expressed its willingness to increase LNG supplies to Europe. In recent years, the EU has imported about 50 billion cubic meters of U.S. gas annually, and the relevant infrastructure is in place in about 12 countries.
EU Contracts and Plans
In a recent trade deal, the EU pledged to buy $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S. over three years. LNG supplies were a key element of that agreement.
Despite the reduction in gas flows from Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, Russian gas still accounted for about 19% of the EU's total imports in 2024. Spain, Belgium and France remain the largest importers of LNG.
Political Procedures
The inclusion of LNG in the sanctions package requires the unanimity of all EU countries. However, changes under the RePowerEU plan can be adopted by a qualified majority.
"Europe has done a great job and has succeeded in reducing dependence on Russian energy and gas," said Paschal Donoghue, head of the euro zone's Council of Finance Ministers.
The European Commission is committed to speeding up the reduction of dependence on Moscow, he said, and efforts will be made to that end.