EU plans to ban russian gas imports by the end of 2027

The European Union intends to propose a ban on Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, aiming to sever ties with what was once the region’s largest supplier, Bloomberg reports.

According to Bloomberg, a key challenge is the surge in Russian LNG supplies, which have reached record levels following Gazprom’s sharp reduction in pipeline gas exports.

Russian gas imports accounted for approximately 19% of the EU’s total gas purchases last year, down from over 40% before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To advance further, the EU plans to propose in June a complete ban on all Russian gas, including both legacy contracts and spot purchases. These measures could take effect no later than the end of 2025.

Alternative LNG Sources

The timeline for phasing out Russian gas will largely depend on the EU’s ability to secure more LNG from the U.S., Qatar, Canada, and Africa. LNG purchases from the U.S. are currently being discussed within the framework of broader trade negotiations with the Trump administration.

The proposed ban does not foresee the immediate cancellation of existing long-term contracts, but the European Commission is considering allowing companies to terminate such agreements without penalties, citing force majeure or material changes in circumstances.

However, full implementation of the ban will require unanimous support from all 27 EU member states, which could be challenging given differing national interests and levels of dependence on Russian gas, particularly from countries like Hungary and Slovakia. A detailed proposal is expected to be unveiled on May 6.