EU hit record Russian LNG imports ahead of 2027 ban

The European Union imported a record volume of liquefied natural gas from Russia's flagship Yamal LNG plant in the first half of 2026, even as the bloc moves to phase out all Russian gas purchases by early next year.

EU countries received 136 cargoes totaling 9.89 million metric tons of LNG from the Yamal facility in January through June, a 16% increase over the same period last year, according to data reported by Reuters and the Financial Times. The Kyiv Independent reported that European ports received 136 of the 140 total Yamal LNG cargoes shipped during that period.kyivindependent+2

A Rush Before the Door Closes

The surge in purchases appears driven by EU buyers racing to secure supplies ahead of a full ban on Russian LNG imports set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Under legislation finalized in January 2026, the EU enacted a staggered phase-out: imports under short-term contracts were banned from April 25, 2026, while long-term contract imports will be prohibited starting in early 2027.crudeaccountability+1

The Yamal LNG facility is controlled by Novatek, Russia's largest private gas producer. EU imports of Russian pipeline gas also rose 7% year-on-year in January through May 2026, while overall Russian LNG imports climbed 11%, according to EU figures cited by Reuters.reuters

Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy noted that EU imports of Russian Arctic LNG hit $4.4 billion in just the first four months of 2026. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis found that Russia's share of European LNG supply reached a quarterly record in the first quarter, with a 16% year-on-year increase.ieefa+1

Ban Timeline and Enforcement

The EU's ban framework, approved by the European Council in January 2026, represents the bloc's most comprehensive effort to sever energy ties with Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. S&P Global ↘ 1.44% reported that spot imports were prohibited shortly after the law took effect, while pipeline gas imports under long-term contracts will be banned by autumn 2027 at the latest.spglobal

In June, the European Commission clarified that the 2027 ban extends beyond EU-destined cargoes — EU-based operators will also be barred from marketing or trading Russian LNG to third countries.reuters

The record imports underscore a tension at the heart of EU energy policy: member states have accelerated Russian gas purchases in the near term precisely because they know the legal window is closing, even as the policy's stated goal is reducing dependence on Moscow.