The European Union has approved a phased ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas, moving to sever one of Moscow’s last major economic lifelines to Europe, the EU Council said on Jan. 26.
The regulation, a core part of the EU’s REPowerEU strategy launched in response to Moscow’s use of energy as a geopolitical tool, sets a legally binding, step-by-step ban on both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
Under the plan, the new rules will start applying six weeks after they formally enter into force. A full ban on Russian LNG imports is set for early 2027, with pipeline gas to follow in autumn 2027.
EU countries will be required to verify the origin of imported gas and submit national diversification plans by March 1, 2026, aimed at replacing Russian supplies with alternatives.
The penalties are steep. Individuals who violate the ban could face fines of at least €2.5 million ($3 million). Companies risk fines starting at €40 million ($47 million), or up to 3.5% of their global annual turnover – or 300% of the value of the banned transaction.
The ban marks the most decisive move yet to sever Europe’s reliance on Russian energy supplies, which have been repeatedly disrupted since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The move builds on an October 2025 EU decision to phase out all Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027, with LNG now targeted even earlier.
Despite slashing Russian gas imports by about 75% between 2021 and 2025, the EU remains Russia’s largest buyer of pipeline gas and LNG. Seaborne LNG imports from Russia have actually surged during the war as pipeline flows declined.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Europe to cut its reliance on Russian LNG and switch to American supplies instead.