On January 26, the Council of the European Union reached an agreement on the regulations for the phased termination of Russian gas imports into EU member states. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the press service of the EU Council released a statement confirming that all 27 member states have officially approved the rules prohibiting the import of both Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The official statement specifies that a total ban on LNG imports will take effect at the beginning of 2027, while the prohibition on pipeline gas will come into force in the autumn of 2027. These new regulations are designed to facilitate the effective monitoring and diversification of the European Union's energy supplies. Under the new framework, EU countries are required to verify the country of origin for all gas imports before they are permitted to enter the market.
Non-compliance with these regulations will carry severe financial penalties. Individuals may face fines of at least 2.5 million euros, while companies could be fined at least 40 million euros, or 3.5% of their total annual global turnover, or 300% of the estimated transaction value. Furthermore, the European Commission plans to propose legislation to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2027. This move aligns with the broader REPowerEU plan, initiated to end the bloc's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and strengthen energy security across Europe following geopolitical shifts in the region.
