A significant shortening of the deadline for phasing out natural gas imports from Russia to the EU was approved on Thursday, 25 September, by the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). The approved text emphasises the need to stop the flow of funds to Russia and the EU’s sufficient resilience in terms of energy production.
The Commission’s original proposal envisaged that long-term LNG terminal services to entities from Russia or controlled by Russians should be prohibited as of 1 January 2028. The amended text of the regulation sets the deadline already at July 2026. Even such a short deadline should enable the reallocation of terminal capacity to alternative LNG suppliers and strengthen the resilience of the energy market in the EU.
’No exemptions, no loopholes’
“It is a crucial proposal intended to permanently ban the import of Russian gas,” MEP Paulius Saudargas (EPP/LTU), rapporteur of the file, said. In his speech he stressed that while preparing the position, he focused on the principle of ’no exceptions, no delays, no loopholes’. “Cutting off the Russian imports is the only way how to end the Russian war,” he stressed.
Cutting off the Russian imports is the only way how to end the Russian war. – MEP Paulius Saudargas (EPP/LTU)
The IMCO members voted with clear majority in favor of the amendments to the Commission’s proposal with just one exemption. The proposal to reject the Commission’s proposal in full, submitted by MEP Kateřina Konečná (non-attached/CZE) did not go through.
“Approved with overwhelming majority. Congratulations, I think it is a very strong signal to everyone,” said MEP Anna Cavazzini (Greens-EFE/DEU), who chaired the session, said after the final vote.
Gas as a political weapon
The approved text stresses that Russia has repeatedly used the supply of natural gas as a political weapon, destabilising European single market and affecting consumers and businesses. Especially Poland and other countries of the region have been targeted, but also Ukraine and Moldova.
It also underlines that the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines must not be brought back to the operation. “Doing so would endanger the security of supply, consumer protection and the resilience and integrity of the internal market,” the amended text reads.
Some 22 billion euros spent on Russian energy in 2024
Banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets is part of the proposed 19th package of sanctions against Russia. “It is time to turn off the tap. We are prepared for this. We have been saving energy, diversifying supplies and investing in low-carbon sources of energy like never before,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her statement of 19 September while announcing the fresh sanctions.
Though estimates vary, it is generally understood that revenues from energy exports to the EU have so far significantly contributed to the Russia’s economy. In 2024, the EU spent an estimated €21.9bn on Russian energy in total (including crude oil and uranium).
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To finally be adopted, any sanctions needs unanimous support in the EU. This means that individual governments can derail the measures. Phasing out Russian energy is a sensitive topic especially for Hungary and Slovakia—two countries claiming it would endanger national security and raise prices for consumers.
