EU to Fully Ban Imports of Russian Pipeline Gas, LNG in 2027

(MENAFN) The Council of the European Union finalized sweeping restrictions Monday prohibiting all Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas imports, with enforcement beginning January 2027 for LNG and autumn 2027 for pipeline supplies.

Import prohibitions activate six weeks following regulatory implementation, though existing contractual obligations receive transitional grace periods for orderly termination. Regulations take effect one day post-publication in the EU's Official Journal, the statement confirmed.

National agencies must authenticate gas production origins before authorizing EU entry—a safeguard designed to block evasion tactics.

The framework establishes severe financial consequences for violations: individuals face minimum fines of 2.5 million euros ($2.97 million), while corporations confront penalties reaching 40 million euros, or minimally 3.5 percent of global annual revenues, or triple the estimated transaction value—whichever proves highest.

EU member states must deliver national diversification strategies by March 1, 2026, pinpointing obstacles to eliminating remaining Russian gas dependencies.

Energy costs throughout Europe have skyrocketed since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted. The Council specified that if supply security faces grave jeopardy, the European Commission may suspend restrictions for up to four weeks after emergency declarations.

The bloc has dramatically curtailed Russian energy purchases in recent years. Russian oil plummeted below 3 percent of total EU oil imports in 2025, yet Russian gas still comprised approximately 13 percent of EU gas imports last year—valued above 15 billion euros annually, officials stated.

The Commission also intends to introduce legislation phasing out Russian oil imports by end-2027, the release indicated. (1 euro = 1.19 U.S. dollars)

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