economy

April 11, 2026

EU boosts Russian LNG imports despite phaseout plans

Europe ramps up Russian LNG purchases in 2026, taking nearly all Yamal shipments despite planned ban.

EU boosts Russian LNG imports despite phaseout plans

TL;DR

  • EU imports of Russian LNG from the Yamal project rose 17% year-on-year in Q1 2026, reaching 5 million tons.
  • The bloc spent an estimated €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion) on these imports.
  • The EU took 97% of the shipments from the Yamal LNG project in Q1 2026.
  • There is reportedly "no appetite from European buyers to stop buying Russian LNG."
  • The EU plans to ban Russian LNG imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by autumn 2027.
  • The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global energy flows and driven up LNG prices.
  • Some EU officials, like Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, warn of a severe economic crisis and advocate for lifting sanctions on Russian energy.
  • Moscow has echoed these warnings, suggesting Europe is unprepared for an energy shock due to its failure to diversify supplies.

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