This is reported by Kyiv24
The European Union has officially approved a law that outlines a phased cessation of imports of Russian pipeline and liquefied natural gas. This decision is part of the EU’s comprehensive strategy to reduce energy dependence on Russia and enhance the energy security of the bloc.
New Rules and Key Deadlines for the Ban
According to the adopted changes, the ban on importing Russian gas will come into effect six weeks after the relevant regulation is published in the Official Journal of the EU. A complete ban on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia will be implemented starting in early 2027, and from autumn of the same year, a ban on the supply of pipeline gas will follow. During this transitional period, special conditions will apply to existing contracts, which should minimize the impact on prices and the stability of the energy market.
Each EU member state must develop a national plan for diversifying gas supply sources by March 1, as well as identify potential risks associated with replacing Russian fuel. Companies are required to inform authorities and the European Commission about all existing contracts for the supply of Russian gas. Countries that still import Russian oil must also provide their diversification plans.
Monitoring, Sanctions, and Exceptions
To strengthen monitoring, EU countries will check the origin of gas before its import. Significant fines are imposed for non-compliance with the new requirements: for individuals, no less than 2.5 million euros; for companies, no less than 40 million euros, at least 3.5% of annual turnover, or 300% of the turnover of the relevant transactions.
“From today, the EU energy market will be stronger, more resilient, and more diversified. We are breaking free from the harmful dependence on Russian gas and taking an important step, in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, towards an autonomous Energy Union,” commented Cyprus’s Minister of Energy, Trade, and Industry, Michael Damianou.
In case of an emergency, member states have the right to temporarily suspend the ban on importing Russian gas for up to four weeks.
The European Commission plans to propose legislation for a gradual phase-out of Russian oil imports by the end of 2027. The REPowerEU strategy outlines a complete cessation of purchases of Russian gas by the end of 2027. In December, representatives of the European Council and the European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement on this strategy, which now needs to be finalized by the Parliament and participating countries.
It is worth noting that currently only France, Hungary, and Belgium continue to import gas from Russia. By the end of October 2025, the share of Russian gas in EU imports was about 12%, while before the full-scale aggression of Russia against Ukraine, this figure reached 45%. Efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources intensified after Russia sharply reduced gas supplies to Europe in response to support for the Ukrainian state in the spring of 2022.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that Budapest would challenge the EU’s decision to phase out Russian gas in court.