Sep 22, 2025 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
The EU initially planned to phase out Russian LNG by 1 January 2028, but now plans to do so by 1 January 2027.
The EU is set to implement its ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports earlier, aiming for a complete phase-out by January 2027.
This decision comes as part of the EU's 19th package of sanctions against Moscow, influenced by pressure from US President Donald Trump.
"The revenues from fossil fuels sustain Russia's war economy. We want to cut these revenues," stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The proposal, requiring unanimous approval from EU governments, seeks to halt Russian LNG imports into European markets.
An EU sanctions proposal initiates discussions among the 27 EU member countries. Hungary and Slovakia, which are considered to have Russia-friendly governments, have previously delayed packages before reaching a compromise, reported Reuters.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas mentioned on X that the new proposal aims "to speed up the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas (to be complete) by 1 Jan 2027".
The EU initially planned to phase out Russian LNG by 1 January 2028. However, Trump has urged the bloc to end Russian energy purchases sooner to increase pressure on Moscow. In addition to LNG, the proposed sanctions aim to target MoscowaEUR(TM)s 'shadow' tanker fleet and cryptocurrency.
Although von der Leyen and Kallas did not disclose complete details of the package, officials indicated it would also target Russian and central Asian banks, refineries in China and special economic zones.
"We are now going after those who fuel Russia's war, who purchase oil in breach of sanctions," von der Leyen added.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that any EU initiative to accelerate the phase-out of Russian energy would have no impact on Russia and would not compel the country to alter its stance. Meanwhile, Trump is urging Europe to take a more active role in efforts to bring an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.
The proposal may compel EU countries to cover LNG shortfalls through US purchases, increasing energy dependency on the US.
According to Eurostat, Russia's share of LNG imports into the EU fell to 14% in the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025), down from 22% in Q1 2021. Countries such as Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and France continue to import Russian LNG, while gas transported through the TurkStream pipeline reaches Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.
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COMTEX_468965234/2227/2025-09-22T09:33:00
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