The EU will ban Russian pipelines and LNG by 2027 while allowing emergency exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia.
Short-term LNG contracts signed before June 2025 will face a ban from April 2026, and pipeline contracts from June 2026.
Long-term LNG imports can continue until January 2027, and long-term pipeline contracts until September 2027, possibly shifting to November.
The EU accelerated energy diversification after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, reducing bloc dependence from 45% to 13% by mid-2025.
Despite the cut, member states still imported €10 billion in Russian gas, with Belgium, France, and Spain receiving transshipped LNG.
Landlocked States Push Back
Most EU countries support the ban to weaken Russia’s war funding, but landlocked states raised supply and price concerns.
The Parliament initially opposed exemptions but conceded to the Council to break the negotiation deadlock.
Hungary and Slovakia plan legal challenges, claiming the law contradicts EU treaties and calling it a “fraud.”
Both countries’ leaders maintain more favorable stances toward Russia compared with other EU nations.
The EU included a suspension clause activated only if a member state declares an emergency with less than 90% storage by November 1.
Europe Declares Energy Independence
EU members must submit national plans to end Russian gas and oil imports by March 2026.
The new law also bans Turkstream imports, except gas proven to originate outside Russia or Belarus.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the agreement a milestone for full energy independence from Russia.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen vowed never to return to Russian energy reliance or market manipulation.
Parliament negotiator Thomas Pellerin-Carlin said the law protects European jobs and prevents Russian market interference.
Energy ministers will vote on December 15, followed by a parliamentary plenary vote the same week.
