It comes simply after the bloc’s vitality commissioner dominated out lifting restrictions aimed toward ending vitality imports from Moscow by the Autumn 2027
The EU has sharply elevated its purchases of Russian liquefied pure gasoline (LNG) within the first quarter of 2026 even because it insists it can section out Russian vitality by the tip of subsequent yr, the Monetary Occasions reported on Friday.
In line with Kpler information cited by the outlet, the EU’s imports from Russia’s Yamal LNG venture in Siberia rose 17% year-on-year to five million tons in Q1, with the bloc spending an estimated €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion). The EU took 69 of 71 shipments – or 97% – together with 25 in March alone, in comparison with 59 of 68 shipments (87%) in the identical interval of 2025.
The surge exhibits there may be “no urge for food from European consumers to cease shopping for Russian LNG,” Sebastian Roetters of environmental NGO Urgewald informed FT.
The report comes days after EU Vitality Commissioner Dan Jorgensen reaffirmed Brussels won’t revise its deliberate ban on Russian gasoline imports, with LNG provides slated to complete by the tip of 2026 and pipeline gasoline by autumn 2027. In an FT interview final week, he mentioned there could be no change to the laws, whereas acknowledging the bloc is “making ready for the worst-case eventualities,” together with potential gas rationing amid disruptions from the US-Israeli struggle on Iran.
The battle has severely disrupted flows by means of the Strait of Hormuz – a key chokepoint dealing with about 20% of world seaborne oil and LNG – and hit Gulf vitality infrastructure, driving a surge in LNG costs. Asian spot charges and European TTF almost doubled earlier than easing after the April 8 ceasefire, however each stay properly above pre-conflict ranges.
Brussels’ stance on Russian vitality has triggered warnings from some EU officers. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban mentioned that “Europe is heading towards some of the extreme financial crises in its historical past,” insisting “the one manner out is to raise the sanctions imposed on Russian vitality.” Various for Germany (AfD) co-chair Alice Weidel urged a “return to an reasonably priced and dependable vitality provide” and buying vitality “the place it’s least expensive, which is Russia” to remain aggressive.
Moscow has echoed the warnings. In line with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, “Europe and Britain will beg for Russian vitality” because the disaster deepens, arguing that the bloc is unprepared for a “long-lasting vitality shock” because of its failure to diversify provides – a shortfall he blamed on “Russophobic, Inexperienced, and woke ideology.” Reacting to an FT report on X, he added: “As predicted, Europe wants Russia to outlive.”
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