The EU decides to phase out imports of Russian gas by 2027

Members of the European Parliament voted for an accelerated timeline for banning Russian gas, introducing tougher sanctions and anti-circumvention measures, in a move considered historic for the EU's energy security.

Brussels, December 11, 2025 – The European Parliament adopted legislation that provides for the gradual elimination of imports of Russian gas, both through pipelines and in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as part of efforts to strengthen the Union's energy security and to end the use of energy as a geopolitical pressure tool by Russia.

In short

Russian LNG on the spot market will be banned from 2026.

Russian gas through pipelines will be completely eliminated by September 30, 2027.

Long-term contracts will be terminated earlier than initially proposed.

Harmonized penalties are introduced for operators who violate the rules.

The European Commission will prepare a ban on imports of Russian oil by no later than 2027.

The new legislation, adopted in plenary with 500 votes in favor, 120 against, and 32 abstentions, establishes a clear timeline for ending imports of Russian gas into the European Union. The measure targets both gas transported through pipelines and liquefied natural gas, aiming to reduce the EU's dependence on suppliers considered unreliable.

According to the Parliament, the decision is a direct response to the "weaponization of energy supplies" by the Russian Federation, documented over nearly two decades and intensified with the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Following negotiations with the Council, MEPs managed to accelerate the timelines for the elimination of most import contracts. Russian LNG traded on the spot market will be banned as soon as the regulation comes into force, at the beginning of 2026, and imports through pipelines will be completely eliminated by the end of September 2027.

To prevent circumvention of the new rules, operators will be required to provide detailed customs evidence regarding the origin of the imported or stored gas, and member states will apply harmonized penalties in case of violation.

In parallel, the Parliament secured a commitment from the European Commission to present, at the beginning of 2026, a legislative proposal for banning imports of Russian oil, so that a complete embargo can come into effect no later than 2027.

MEPs also called for stricter conditions for any temporary suspensions of the bans, which could only be allowed in cases of real emergency regarding the EU's energy security.

"This is a historic moment: the EU is taking a giant step towards a new era, free from Russian gas and oil. Russia will no longer be able to use fossil fuel exports as a weapon against Europe," said Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, Finland), rapporteur for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

"Today's vote sends a clear message: Europe will never again be dependent on Russian gas. We have strengthened the Commission's initial proposal and introduced real penalties for non-compliance with the rules," said Inese Vaidere (EPP, Latvia), rapporteur for the Committee on International Trade.

The legislation comes against the backdrop of the EU's recent experience with the deliberate manipulation of the energy market by Russia, including reduced supplies and underfilling of gas storage, which led to price increases of up to eight times compared to pre-crisis levels.

The measure is part of the EU's broader strategy to diversify energy sources, reduce strategic dependencies, and strengthen energy security.

The legislative act, already agreed with the Council, must be formally approved by member states before publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Subsequently, the new rules will become applicable, and the Commission will begin work on the ban on Russian oil.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/ue-decide-eliminarea-treptata-a-importurilor-de-gaz-rusesc-pana-in-2027