The European Commission has unveiled its proposed gradual legally-binding measures to end the EU’s imports of Russian gas and LNG by the end of 2027. The phase out of Russian gas and oil imports into the EU would be implemented in phases.
First, Russian gas imports under new contracts (signed during the remainder of 2025) will be prohibited as of 1 January 2026. Then imports under short-term Russian gas deals (lasting less than one year) signed before 17 June 2025, would be banned from 17 June 2026 (except those for pipeline gas delivered to land-locked countries and linked to long-term contracts, which will be allowed until the end of 2027).
Finally, imports under existing long-term Russian contracts would be banned from 1 January 2028, meaning that contracts which were meant to last into the 2030s would be terminated, effectively ending the EU's use of Russian gas by this date, according to the Commission.
As well, long-term contracts for LNG terminal services for customers from Russia or controlled by Russian undertakings will be prohibited. The European Commission also plans measures to facilitate the complete stop of Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.
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