Russian gas imports rise despite EU phase-out
EU’s energy regulators report unexpected growth in Russian gas flows
Poinews.com – A recent study has uncovered a rise in Russian gas imports to the European Union during the initial months of 2026, even as the bloc moves forward with its plan to phase out reliance on Moscow’s energy supply. The report, issued by the EU’s energy regulatory agency (ACER), highlights that pipeline deliveries increased by 7% compared to 2025, while LNG imports surged by 11% during the same period. Notably, LNG volumes rose further after the ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) took effect in March, reaching a 17% jump against the prior year’s data.
The EU’s decision to restrict Russian LNG imports by 2027 has not yet halted the flow of gas from Russia. Exceptions were granted to Hungary and Slovakia, which can still access Russian supplies in case of disruptions, due to their landlocked status. ACER’s findings, released on Wednesday, indicate that importers are prioritizing existing contracts before stricter prohibitions apply, rather than reversing the bloc’s policy. This strategy has led to a temporary uptick in gas shipments, though the agency stresses it does not signal a long-term shift in dependence.
Contract dynamics and market adjustments
ACER notes that new Russian gas deals have been barred since March 2026, while older agreements are phasing out gradually through 2027 to prevent market shocks. The agency estimates that authorised contracts still account for 45–55 bcm of annual supply capacity, a significant drop from the 150–157 bcm Russia supplied to the EU before the Ukraine conflict.
“LNG authorised contracts for deliveries into the EU account for 20 to 32 billion cubic metres (bcm), entering the EU at the external borders of four member states: Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. In turn, long-term contracts for Russian pipeline gas remain authorised in Hungary, Slovakia and Greece,”
Ronald Pinto, an LNG analyst at Kpler, supports ACER’s analysis, stating that Russian LNG imports hit record levels in April and May. “European market participants relied on other available LNG sources amid global supply disruptions, likely maximising existing contractual volumes to hedge against uncertainty,” Pinto said. However, he also observed a slight annual decline in pipeline imports following maintenance in early June, suggesting a commercial response to the 17 June deadline for short-term Russian gas bans.
Uneven reliance across EU nations
Despite overall reductions in Russian gas dependency, the report reveals a stark regional disparity. Most EU countries have cut imports since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Hungary, Slovakia, and Greece remain heavily reliant. For instance, Hungary and Slovakia are projected to source 70–80% of their gas from Russia in 2024, while Greece imports approximately 50–55% from Moscow.
ACER highlights that the primary challenge now lies in infrastructure, not supply shortages. The agency argues that Europe’s dependence on Russian gas is still unevenly distributed, with a minority of nations struggling to replace supplies before the 2027 deadline. “The remaining dependence on Russian gas remains unevenly distributed across member states; while most countries have significantly reduced their exposure, a small number of countries continue,”
As the phase-out progresses, the EU’s energy regulators remain focused on ensuring alternative energy sources can reach Central European markets efficiently.
