Historic consensus: EU to gradually ban imports of Russian gas and to reinforce energy self-sufficiency

On 3 December, the European Parliament and Council achieved a preliminary consensus on a regulation that would gradually impose a ban on importing Russian natural gas to the EU. This agreement is a key element in the REPowerEU roadmap, whose purpose is to dismantle dependency on Russian energy and to strengthen the energy self-sufficiency of Europe.

It was decided to accelerate the timeline for the stagewise import ban from what was previously planned. The ban will enter into force in stages, beginning with spot market purchases and eventually extending to cover all existing long-term agreements. A comprehensive ban on LNG imports from Russia will enter into force on 1 January 2027, and the importing of gas via pipelines is to cease by 1 November 2027.

The proposed Regulation will introduce an advance permit procedure designed to ensure that the import ban works. Member States will also be required to draw up national plans for diversifying their sourcing of natural gas and to report on any agreements involving Russian gas or oil. The Commission also intends to make a separate proposal to cease all imports of Russian oil by the end of 2027.

Sari Multala, Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment, considers the agreement reached to be an important step forward.

“I am very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations. We are now one step closer to the moment when the EU will completely and permanently stop importing pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas from Russia. Bringing the import ban forward is very justifiable. It will allow us to permanently sever commercial ties with an unreliable supplier of natural gas while permanently strengthening the energy security and self-sufficiency of Europe.”

The Regulation will also include provisions on sanctions for violating the import ban and a facility for temporary suspending the Regulation in case the energy supply is jeopardised. The Commission will review the effectiveness of the Regulation two years after its entry into force.

The consensus now achieved will next be submitted to the plenary session of the European Parliament and of the Council for formal approval. The aim is to have the Regulation enter into force before the end of 2025.