Europe Asia News

In a press statement released this morning, the European Council said that “the ban will start to apply six weeks after the regulation enters into force,” adding:

“There will be a transition period for existing contracts. This gradual approach will limit the impact on prices and markets. The full ban on LNG imports will take effect from the beginning of 2027, while the ban on pipeline gas imports will take effect from the autumn of 2027.”

The Council also added that “EU countries will verify the country of production of the gas before allowing its entry into the Union.”

Explaining the necessity of the policy, the European Council stated:

“Following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its use of energy as a weapon, EU leaders agreed in the March 2022 Versailles Declaration to phase out dependence on Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible.

As a result, imports of natural gas and oil from Russia to the EU have decreased significantly in recent years. However, while oil imports fell below 3 percent in 2025 due to the existing sanctions regime, Russian natural gas is still estimated to account for about 13 percent of EU imports in 2025, corresponding to a value of more than 15 billion euros annually. This exposes the EU to significant risks in terms of trade and energy security.”