“Goodbye, Kremlin”: EU prepares full ban on russian oil and gas

The European Parliament (EP) has approved tougher regulations to phase out imports of Russian gas, including LNG and pipeline gas, aiming to strengthen the European Union’s energy security and reduce dependence on Russia.

Under the decision, Russian LNG will be banned from the EU spot market starting in early 2026, while a full ban on Russian pipeline gas imports will take effect on September 30, 2027.

According to the EU, this transition period gives member states sufficient time to secure alternative supplies and ensure energy security through the winter of 2027/2028.

Any contract for Russian gas signed or expanded after June 17, 2025, will no longer be considered an “existing” contract.

For short-term LNG contracts, the transition period will end on April 25, 2026, while long-term LNG contracts will expire on January 1, 2027. Short-term contracts for pipeline gas will be permitted until June 17, 2026.

Member states will be required to submit detailed diversification plans to the European Commission by March 1, 2026, outlining concrete measures, timelines, and potential obstacles to replacing Russian gas supplies.

Harsh penalties for violations

The regulation also предусматривает strict penalties for breaches. For companies, maximum fines may reach up to 3.5% of global annual turnover, €40 million, or 300% of the value of the prohibited transaction. For individuals, fines may not be lower than €2.5 million.

According to the European Parliament, these measures are intended to be “effective, proportionate, and dissuasive.”

In emergency situations, the import ban may be temporarily suspended, but for no longer than four weeks and only for short-term contracts.

Landlocked countries such as Hungary and Slovakia will be allowed to continue imports until September 30, 2027, effectively forcing them to rebuild their supply chains within the next two years.

Not only gas, but oil as well

MEPs have also called for a complete ban on Russian oil imports, arguing that they create strategic dependency and pose a threat to EU security.

The European Commission is expected to present the relevant legislation early next year, with the aim of having an effective ban on Russian oil in place no later than the end of 2027.

The decision of the European Parliament was adopted with 500 votes in favor, 120 against, and 32 abstentions. The regulations must now be formally approved by the Council of the EU by a qualified majority vote, bypassing objections from Hungary and Slovakia.

According to assessments in Brussels, these measures represent a decisive step toward the EU’s complete disengagement from Russian energy and a significant economic blow to the Kremlin. /TheGeoPost.