EU to end Russian gas supply by 2027 with transition plan

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Brussels: The European Union has taken a decisive step to end its reliance on Russian natural gas, with member states formally approving a regulation that will see all imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) phased out by late 2027 under a staged plan designed to protect energy security while accelerating diversification efforts.

EU countries adopted the new rules on January 26, 2026, giving final approval to a framework that prohibits the importation of Russian gas and LNG. Existing contracts will be allowed a transition period, but fresh deals with Russian suppliers will be barred, and the phase-out timeline targets a full ban on LNG from early 2027 and pipeline gas by the autumn of 2027, with possible extension to Nov. 1, 2027 in exceptional cases.

The regulation is part of the EU’s REPowerEU strategy to bolster energy independence following disruptions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and repeated use of energy exports as leverage in geopolitical disputes. The measure also reinforces monitoring mechanisms and requires national plans to diversify gas supplies by March 1, 2026.

Under the new system, EU member states must verify the true country of origin for gas imports before authorising entry, a step aimed at preventing circumvention of the ban. Strict penalties are set for non-compliance, including fines of at least €2.5 million for individuals and €40 million or higher for companies, or a percentage of their global turnover.

The move comes as Russia’s share of EU gas imports has already declined significantly from supplying over 40 % of the bloc’s gas before 2022 to around 13 % in 2025 but the new regulation legally binds the bloc to eliminate those ties completely by the established deadlines.

Countries such as Hungary and Slovakia opposed the measure, citing concerns about energy security and economic impacts, and Hungary has already signalled plans to challenge the ban in court. However, the law was approved by a qualified majority of member states, enabling the decision to move forward despite dissent.

Beyond gas, the European Commission has indicated it will pursue similar legislation to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2027, reinforcing its broader agenda to reshape energy sourcing and strengthen resilience across the bloc.

Energy markets and national regulators will now shift focus to ensuring a smooth transition, diversifying supplier portfolios, and expanding infrastructure to accommodate alternative gas deliveries as part of the EU’s long-term energy security strategy.