Ending Russian Gas and Oil Imports
Published January 12, 2026
Goal: Secure energy independence
The EU regulation is a step‑by‑step plan that bans new Russian gas and oil imports by set dates, allows a short window for old contracts, requires approval and monitoring, and imposes heavy fines on anyone who breaks the ban.
Summary of the European Parliament Regulation to End Russian Gas and Oil Imports (2024‑2029)
The EU will stop buying natural gas and oil from Russia. The rule is broken down into simple steps, clear dates, and checks to keep the energy market stable.
1. Why the rule?
- Ukraine war (Feb 2022) exposed how much the EU depends on Russian gas.
- Russia has cut supplies many times, raised prices (up to 8 × the normal level in 2022) and used gas as a political weapon.
- The EU wants to protect its economy, consumers and security.
2. What the regulation says
| Step | What happens | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| Phase‑out of gas | No more gas from Russia in pipelines or LNG, unless an exemption applies. | 17 Jun 2026 (pipeline gas) 25 Apr 2026 (LNG) |
| Exemptions for short‑term contracts | If a contract is signed before 17 Jun 2025 and not changed, the gas can still enter until the above dates. | 17 Jun 2026 (pipeline) 25 Apr 2026 (LNG) |
| Exemptions for long‑term contracts | If a contract is signed before 17 Jun 2025 and not changed, the gas can still enter until 30 Sep 2027 (pipeline) or 1 Jan 2027 (LNG). | 30 Sep 2027 (pipeline) 1 Jan 2027 (LNG) |
| Extra time for land‑locked countries | They may keep gas until 1 Nov 2027 if their contract was signed before 17 Jun 2025. | 1 Nov 2027 |
| No new Russian gas contracts after 17 Jun 2025 | They do not get the same exemption. | 17 Jun 2025 |
| No new Russian oil imports after 31 Dec 2027 | A separate oil‑phase‑out plan must be in place by that date. | 31 Dec 2027 |
3. How to keep the market working
| Action | Who does it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Prior authorisation | Customs or an “authorising authority” | Must be given 1 month before the gas enters the EU |
| Information required | Contract details, volumes, delivery points, pricing (except price itself) | Same 1‑month deadline |
| Monitoring | Customs, regulators, European agencies (OLAF, EPPO, ACER) | Ongoing, with monthly reports |
| Penalties | Up to 3.5 % of company turnover, €40 m, or 300 % of gas‑related revenue | If a company breaks the rule |
| Emergency power | The Commission can pause the ban for up to 4 weeks in a crisis | If a gas crisis is declared |
| National diversification plans | Each EU country must plan how to replace Russian gas and oil | Submit by 1 Mar 2026; reviewed by the Commission |
4. Numbers that matter
- Gas volumes: EU has cut Russian gas imports by more than 60 billion m³ each year since 2022.
- Gas price rise: Prices in 2022 were up to 8 × normal levels.
- Revenue for Russia: In 2024 Russia earned about €15 billion from remaining gas sales to the EU.
- Timeline: The rule starts the day after it is published; most prohibitions take effect 6 weeks later.
5. What EU members must do
- Create a national plan to stop Russian gas and oil by the dates above.
- Show the Commission the amounts of Russian gas/oil still contracted, the steps they will take, and any technical barriers.
- Provide data on contracts and shipments to support monitoring.
- Pay fines if they illegally import Russian gas or oil.
Bottom line:
The EU is ending its dependence on Russian gas and oil through a clear, step‑by‑step ban, with temporary exemptions for old contracts, a strict authorisation process, heavy penalties for violators, and national plans to replace those supplies. The goal is a safer, more secure, and more affordable energy market for all EU citizens.
Licensing: The summaries on this page are available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
The source
