EU finalizes deal to ban Russian gas imports and phase out Russian oil by late 2027

The European Union agreed Wednesday to permanently stop the import of Russian gas and move towards the phaseout of Russian oil.

Under the agreement, Russian gas imports will be gradually but permanent end as part of an effort to end the bloc’s long dependency on Russian energy. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports will be phased out by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by the end of September 2027.

Exceptionally, member states may extend this deadline until 31 October 2027 in case their storage levels are below the required filling levels. In particular:

For short-term supply contracts concluded before 17 June 2025, the prohibition of Russian gas imports will apply from 25 April 2026 for LNG and 17 June 2026 for pipeline gas.

For long-term contracts for LNG imports concluded before 17 June 2025, the prohibition will apply from 1 January 2027, in line with the 19th sanctions package.

Pipeline gas imports under long-term contracts will only be allowed until 30 September 2027. In the event member states face difficulties to fill the required storage levels, the import ban for pipelines would only apply as of 1 November 2027.

The European Commission committed to phaseout by November 2027, the latest, all Russian gas imports.

In accordance with the agreement, amendments to existing contracts will only be permitted for narrowly defined operational purposes and cannot lead to increased volumes or prices.

“Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. By depleting Putin’s war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.

Under Wednesday’s agreement, EU members will submit national diversification plans outlining measures to diversifying their gas and oil supplies by 1 March 2026, and will be required to notify the Commission within one month of the regulation’s entry into force whether they have Russian gas supply contracts or national legal bans in place.

The Commission will issue recommendations based on this feedback.