The EU Will Not Abandon Its Plan to Fully Phase Out Russian Gas Imports by 2027

The European Union intends to follow through on its previously announced plan to completely phase out Russian liquefied natural gas by the end of 2026. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“We have clear objectives, and we are sticking to them. We are on the right track in the medium and long term, and our goals are very clear,” she emphasized.

The remarks came amid discussions over whether Brussels might reconsider its position in light of the war in the Middle East and the sharp rise in gas prices.

Following Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars—the world’s largest gas field, Tehran began targeting oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring countries, triggering a surge in prices in Europe of around 30%.

EU countries had previously agreed to fully halt imports of Russian gas by early 2027. Restrictions on LNG purchases under short-term contracts will take effect on April 25, while a full embargo is set for January 2027. After the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, von der Leyen warned that a return to Russian gas purchases would be “a strategic mistake.”

According to Eurostat, Russia accounts for about 16% of LNG imports into the EU and roughly 13% of all gas supplies to the bloc, while