EU takes the next step towards energy independence from Russia

Published today, the REPowerEU gas regulation (EU/2026/261) sets out the legal provisions to phase out natural gas imports from Russia. This historic decision, taken at the end of last year, aims to end the EU’s dependence on gas from Russia, once and for all, by 2027. 

The regulation bans the following

• From 25 April 2026: short-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts
• From 17 June 2026: short-term pipeline gas contracts
• From 1 January 2027: long-term contracts for LNG imports
• From 30 September 2027: pipeline gas imports under long-term contracts. Exceptionally, Member States can extend this deadline until 31 October 2027 in case their gas storage is filled below the required levels

As we approach 4 years of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine and its weaponisation of energy, the EU continues to exert pressure on Russia and to prevent it from financing its ongoing brutal war.

The REPowerEU gas regulation is published in the Official Journal, entering into force the following day.

A statement by the Commission on the phase out of Russian oil imports (EU/2026/268) accompanies the publication of the REPowerEU Gas Regulation. The Commission intends to table a legislative proposal by early 2026 to ban oil imports from the Russian Federation as soon as possible but not later than 2027.