EU plans ban on Russian gas imports by 2027

According to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter, the European Commission plans to submit a proposal in June to ban natural gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027, as part of the European Union’s (EU) roadmap for phasing out Russian gas, which is expected to be announced on May 6.

The ban will cover both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.

Sources stated that the ban would affect both new agreements and existing spot contracts.

For existing spot contracts, the ban is expected to take effect by the end of this year at the latest.

Sources speaking to the agency emphasized that the exact start date of the ban depends on the EU’s capacity to secure alternative LNG supplies from the US, Qatar, Canada, and Africa.

Currently, Russian gas accounts for approximately 19% of the fuel imported by the EU.

Bloomberg underlined that the European Commission’s plans could change before the May 6 presentation.

The agency’s sources estimate that the phase-out plans for natural gas will have a limited impact on prices and energy security in the EU, given the large volume of global LNG expected to enter the market in the coming years.

Previously, Bloomberg had reported that the plan could include restrictive measures such as tariffs and quotas.

According to a Reuters report, the European Commission decided to develop a new roadmap for the EU’s gradual phase-out of Russian energy sources, rather than imposing sanctions on their import.

It was reported that Brussels abandoned the idea of including a ban on Russian gas imports in the 16th sanctions package due to disagreements among some member states, uncertainty regarding alternative sources, and the desire to gain a stronger position in negotiations to ease trade tariffs with the US.

Legal experts had pointed out that it is unlikely the EU could withdraw from Russian gas contracts based on force majeure.