EU Moves to End Russian Gas Imports by 2027 with Legally Binding Ban
The European Commission is preparing to introduce sweeping legislation that would permanently ban all imports of Russian natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the European Union by the end of 2027.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Reuters.
According to internal documents reviewed by Reuters, the legislative package, set to be unveiled Tuesday, will enshrine into EU law the bloc’s pledge to eliminate Russian gas dependency, first made in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The draft law outlines a phased approach:
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A full ban on pipeline gas and LNG imports from Russia starting January 1, 2026.
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A transitional period for short-term contracts signed before June 17, 2025, allowing deliveries until June 17, 2026.
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A complete phase-out of long-term contracts by January 1, 2028.
Additionally, the EU will restrict Russian companies’ access to LNG terminals across the bloc and require importers to disclose contract details to national and EU authorities, ensuring greater transparency and compliance monitoring.
To protect companies from potential lawsuits or arbitration for breaching contracts, the legislation is being framed as a direct legal prohibition, not a sanctions package.
This structure allows firms to invoke force majeure clauses, absolving them of liability due to circumstances beyond their control.
“This will be a prohibition, a binding legal act, not a sanction,” EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told reporters. “That makes it possible for companies to exit contracts without facing legal penalties.”
Countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which still import Russian pipeline gas and have historically opposed sanctions on Russian energy, have threatened to veto such measures.
However, the Commission is using a legal basis that circumvents unanimity, allowing the legislation to pass with a reinforced qualified majority of member states and the backing of the European Parliament.
While most EU governments support the proposal, some member states have raised concerns about the financial and legal exposure of companies locked into long-term Russian supply agreements.
Energy giants such as TotalEnergies (France) and Naturgy (Spain) hold contracts that run well into the 2030s.
Read more on The Gaze: Are Ukraine’s Allies Ready to Take Sanctions Against Russia to the Next Level in 2025?