European Union (EU) Adopts Stepwise Ban on Russian Gas and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Imports on 26 January 2026

Key facts

• The 27 EU member states formally adopted a regulation to phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG.
• The regulation serves as a key milestone in achieving the REPowerEU objective of ending the EU reliance on Russian energy.
• The ban will start to apply six weeks after the regulation enters into force, with a full ban on LNG imports by the beginning of 2027 and pipeline gas by autumn 2027.
• Non-compliance with the new rules may result in maximum penalties of at least €2.5 million for individuals and at least €40 million for companies.
• Companies may face penalties of at least 3.5% of their total worldwide annual turnover or 300% of the estimated transaction turnover for violations.
• EU member states must verify the production country of gas imports and submit national diversification plans by 1 March 2026.
• The European Commission (EC) is authorised to suspend the import ban for up to four weeks if the security of supply is seriously threatened.
• Following the Versailles Declaration of March 2022, Russian gas imports fell to 13% of EU imports by 2025, valued at over €15 billion annually.
• The EC plans to propose further legislation to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.
• Michael Damianos, the Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, stated that the move is a step towards an autonomous Energy Union.
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