The European Union is officially ending its reliance on Russian gas. From 2028, a complete ban on imports of this commodity will take effect, covering both pipeline deliveries and LNG.
The end of Russian gas in Europe
Energy ministers from EU countries adopted a regulation in Luxembourg introducing a full embargo on Russian gas from 1 January 2028. It is one of the most important energy moves by the Union in recent years. Only Hungary and Slovakia voted against the decision, and they were granted a one-year transition period until the end of 2027.
The new rules will cover both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas delivered by pipeline. This means the Union will cut off Russian supplies entirely, which only a few years ago accounted for over 40% of the European gas market.
How the phased exit from Russian gas will work
Before the embargo takes effect, earlier restrictions will come into force:
- from 1 January 2026, imports of gas under new contracts signed after 17 June 2025 will be banned,
- short-term contracts will be fully phased out by 17 June 2026,
- landlocked countries (including Slovakia and Hungary) will be allowed to continue imports until the end of 2027..
This timetable is intended to give member states time to adapt their energy infrastructure, particularly LNG terminals and cross-border interconnections in Central Europe.
Europe looks for alternatives
The EU decision is another step toward freeing the continent from Russian raw materials after the invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission points to the importance of diversifying energy sources and investing in the green transition. Imports of LNG from the US and Norway will grow, as will the development of renewable energy.
For example, Poland already covers most of its demand thanks to the LNG terminal in Świnoujście and the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline connecting the country with Norwegian fields. Germany, in turn, is intensively developing LNG ports in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel.
What the ban means for Russia and consumers
The embargo could hit the Russian economy hard, as gas has been one of the pillars of Moscow’s export revenue. According to European Commission estimates, the share of Russian gas in EU imports has already fallen from 45% to around 13%, and after 2028 it is expected to reach 0%.
For European consumers, the decision means more stable raw material prices in the long term, although temporary increases may occur as energy markets and contracts are restructured.
