Brussels – October 20, 2025 – The European Union took a notable step toward curtailing Russia’s revenue stream from energy sales today, as a majority of member states approved, in principle, a ban on imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027. The decision marks a key milestone in the EU’s ongoing efforts to diminish reliance on Russian hydrocarbons following the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
“This decision will shape the future of our continent.We will stop financing the Russian war machine and diversify our energy supply,” stated Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard, who chaired the meeting.
European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen reinforced the message, telling reporters, “We are sending a vrey clear message today: we will no longer allow Russia to use energy as a weapon.”
The move comes despite concerns raised by some member states. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs peter Szijjarto argued the ban would “kill” Hungary’s energy security, asserting, “For us, energy supply has nothing to do with politics” and “nothing to do with Russia.”
Currently, Russia still supplies 19% of the EU’s total gas imports as of 2024, down from 45% in 2021. The European Commission initially proposed a complete halt to Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 in the spring of 2025.
Further acceleration is under consideration, with a proposal to advance the deadline for halting imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the end of 2026, as part of a 19th package of sanctions against Russia currently under discussion.
The European Parliament has advocated for even more aggressive action, with its Industry and Commerce committees approving a text aiming to ban all Russian gas imports – pipeline and LNG - from January 1, 2026, with limited exceptions.
U.S. president Donald trump recently echoed calls for a swift end to European purchases of Russian fossil fuels, criticizing the continued trade as counterproductive to efforts to support Ukraine. “Europe must move up a gear. It cannot continue to act as it is currently doing. It is buying oil and gas from Russia while it is in conflict with this country. It is embarrassing for it,” Trump stated during the United Nations annual Assembly in New York.
