The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on a binding regulation to phase out all Russian natural gas imports by 2027, according to the Council of the EU. The deal, reached between the Council and European Parliament, introduces a step-by-step ban on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas, forming a central part of the EU’s strategy to end reliance on Russian energy after the invasion of Ukraine.
Council and Parliament reach binding deal to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027
According to the official press release, the Council of the EU presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement that will phase out imports of Russian natural gas across the bloc by the end of 2027. This regulation, announced on 3 December, forms a central element of the EU’s REPowerEU roadmap, which aims to end dependency on Russian fossil fuels after Russia weaponized gas supplies during its war against Ukraine.
Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard called the agreement “a big win for us and for all of Europe,” stressing that the swift consensus with the European Parliament underscores the bloc’s commitment to energy security and independence.
Clear transition deadlines for all contract types
Under the agreement, Russian gas imports will be banned six weeks after the regulation enters into force, with staggered transition deadlines for existing supply contracts:
- For short-term supply contracts signed before 17 June 2025, Russian LNG will be prohibited from 25 April 2026, and pipeline gas from 17 June 2026.
- For long-term LNG contracts, the ban will apply from 1 January 2027, aligning with the EU’s 19th sanctions package.
Long-term pipeline gas contracts will be prohibited from 30 September 2027, conditional upon the bloc’s gas storage targets being on track. If those targets are not met, the final cutoff date will be 1 November 2027 at the latest.
To enforce compliance, the deal mandates a prior authorization process for all relevant gas imports. The European Commission may revise the list of exempted countries if customs monitoring reveals documented circumvention.
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Diversification plans, oil phaseout
All EU member states will now be required to submit national diversification plans. These plans must outline how they intend to replace Russian gas and overcome related challenges. Member states must also notify the Commission within one month whether they hold Russian gas supply contracts or enforce national bans.
The same requirement will apply to countries still importing Russian oil. The Commission plans to propose legislation to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.
The final agreement includes penalties for non-compliance.
