EU Moves to Phase Out Russian Gas Imports by 2027 Amid Energy Independence Push

On Tuesday, Brussels provided additional details regarding its initiative to prohibit Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, aiming to end the EU’s long-standing energy reliance that has been difficult to reduce following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The proposal includes a ban on new contracts for Russian gas beginning January 1, 2026, and mandates that existing short-term contracts be terminated by June 17, 2026. The European Commission has confirmed that all remaining imports will be eliminated by the end of 2027.

“Russia has consistently attempted to manipulate us by using its energy resources as a weapon. We have taken decisive steps to cut off the flow and permanently end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe,” stated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Unlike previous sanctions, this ban will utilize trade and energy regulations to limit Russian gas imports—an approach intended to avoid potential resistance from member states such as Hungary and Slovakia, which have friendly relations with Moscow and still receive Russian pipeline gas.

This proposal requires approval from both the European Parliament and the European Council, which comprises representatives from EU member states.

While sanctions necessitate unanimous consent from all 27 EU nations, trade restrictions only require the support of a qualified majority, which means at least 15 member states must agree.

The EU implemented a ban on most Russian oil in late 2022 and has since been working to lessen its dependency on Russian gas. Although pipeline imports have significantly decreased, several countries have increased their purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) transported by sea.

According to EU statistics, Russia still supplied 19% of the bloc’s gas in 2023, down from 45% prior to the conflict, with 32 billion cubic meters delivered via the TurkStream pipeline and an additional 20 billion through LNG shipments.

A high-ranking EU official indicated that the ban could lead to arbitration disputes since some companies have long-term contracts that extend beyond 2027.

However, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen assured that importers would be safeguarded from legal repercussions. “As this will be a prohibition… companies will not face legal issues. This constitutes force majeure, similar to a sanction,” he stated on Monday.