EU to End Dependence on Russian Gas by 2028
European Union member states have agreed on a plan to completely halt imports of natural gas from Russia by the beginning of 2028.
The Council of the European Union announced that energy ministers, in their meeting in Luxembourg, reached a consensus on the legal framework for the gradual reduction of Russian gas imports.
According to the Council’s statement, the proposed regulation foresees a binding ban on the import of Russian gas through pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG), set to be fully implemented as of January 1, 2028.
Under this plan, imports of gas from Russia will be restricted starting January 1, 2026; new contracts will be prohibited from June 17, 2026; and long-term contracts will expire at the beginning of 2028.
The statement also emphasized that only limited modifications to existing contracts will be permitted, and certain flexibilities will be provided for landlocked countries that may face challenges in securing energy supplies.
