The EU will ban Russian gas and LNG by 2026-2027, granting limited exceptions to Hungary and Slovakia.
Short-term contracts signed before June 2025 will face phased bans starting April and June 2026.
Long-term LNG contracts may continue until January 2027, while pipeline deals end September 2027, potentially delayed to November.
Member states accelerated energy diversification after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted prices across the EU27.
EU data shows dependence on Russian gas fell from 45% pre-invasion to 13% in early 2025, though imports still reached €10 billion.
Political Disputes and Exemptions
Most EU countries support the ban to weaken Moscow’s war funding, while landlocked states fear supply shortages and higher costs.
Parliament initially opposed exemptions but conceded them to the Council to break the deadlock.
Hungary and Slovakia plan legal challenges, calling the law a “fraud” that violates EU treaties.
Prime ministers Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico maintain a more sympathetic stance toward Moscow than other EU leaders.
The EU included an emergency clause, allowing temporary access to Russian gas if storage falls below 90% by November 1.
Commission Declares Energy Independence
Member states must submit national plans to stop Russian gas and oil imports by March 1, 2026.
The law bans TurkStream imports unless companies prove the gas only transited Russia or Belarus.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the deal the start of Europe’s full energy independence.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen vowed Europe will never return to dangerous dependence or market manipulation from Russia.
Parliament negotiator Thomas Pellerin-Carlin said the law prevents Russian market influence and protects European jobs.
Energy ministers will vote on December 15, followed by a parliamentary plenary vote later that week.
