The European Commission is preparing to propose legal measures to completely halt the import of Russian gas into the EU by the end of 2027. This initiative also includes a ban on new Russian gas contracts by the end of this year. The proposals are expected to be published on June 17th.
According to an internal analysis of the upcoming European Commission proposals, seen by Reuters, the Commission will require information on the duration, annual contracted quantities, destination clauses, and contract dates of European companies' agreements with Russia to enforce the ban. This is a significant step in the EU's efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.
Importers will also be required to disclose the origin of the gas to ensure it is not Russian. The aim is to ensure that EU customs and energy authorities can enforce the ban effectively. The proposals will also prohibit EU terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from providing services to Russian customers from January 1, 2026, with a longer deadline of June 17, 2026, for existing service contracts under short-term LNG supply agreements.
The deadline for the cessation of these services under long-term contracts with Russia will be December 31, 2027. A Commission spokesperson declined to comment on the upcoming proposals, which are still subject to change. This move underscores the EU's commitment to diversifying its energy sources and reducing its dependence on Russia.