The EU will ban Russian pipeline gas and LNG by 2027, with emergency exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia.
Short-term contracts signed before June 2025 will face phased bans starting April 2026 for LNG and June 2026 for pipelines.
Long-term LNG contracts may continue until January 2027, and pipeline deals face a ban from September 2027, possibly shifting to November.
EU members accelerated diversification efforts after Russia’s 2022 invasion disrupted energy prices across Europe.
Dependence on Russian gas fell from 45% pre-invasion to 13% in early 2025, yet imports still reached €10 billion.
Landlocked Countries Secure Safeguards
Landlocked states warned the ban could threaten supply security and raise domestic energy costs.
Parliament initially opposed exemptions but conceded to break the deadlock with the Council.
Hungary and Slovakia plan legal challenges, claiming Brussels’ law violates EU treaties.
The EU added a suspension clause activated only if storage drops below 90% by November 1.
Member states must submit national plans to stop Russian gas and oil imports by March 2026.
Europe Declares Energy Independence
The law bans imports via the TurkStream pipeline unless companies prove gas only transited Russia or Belarus.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the move a new era of full independence from Russian energy.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen pledged Europe will never return to dependence, volatile supplies, or Russian market manipulation.
Lawmakers said the law protects jobs, prevents market manipulation, and safeguards the bloc from future gas shocks.
Energy ministers will vote on the text on December 15, followed by a parliamentary vote the same week.
