EU's Ongoing Dependence on Russian Gas Amid Sanctions

Despite the European Union's (EU) commitment to phase out Russian energy imports, recent data reveals that purchases of Russian gas have increased. In the first half of 2025, EU member states imported 5% more Russian gas compared to the previous year, totaling €8.4 billion in expenditures, according to Eurostat. Notably, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia surged to €5.1 billion, up from €4 billion in the same period of 2024. Belgium and France remain significant buyers, with Belgium alone spending €1.4 billion on Russian LNG, surpassing its military aid to Ukraine.

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The EU's energy landscape has been historically reliant on Russian gas, which constituted nearly 45% of total gas imports before the Ukraine conflict. Following the invasion in February 2022, the EU initiated sanctions targeting Russian oil, but gas imports continued largely unimpeded. As of 2024, Russian gas still accounted for approximately 19% of total EU gas imports, making it the second-largest supplier after Norway.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the need to cut off revenues that sustain Russia's war economy. Meanwhile, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has identified reducing Russian gas sales as a critical strategy to pressure Moscow. However, countries like Hungary and Slovakia have resisted calls to eliminate Russian gas imports, citing economic and infrastructural challenges.

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Critics argue that the EU's ongoing imports of Russian gas undermine its sanctions regime and indirectly fund the war in Ukraine. Slovakian Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar highlighted the hypocrisy in targeting his country while other EU states increase their gas purchases from Russia. He called for empathy regarding the challenges of transitioning away from Russian energy.

ReutersSky NewsEU Sticks to Planned Russian Oil Exit by 2028, Energy Chief SaysEU bans Russian LNG imports for first time in 19th Sanctions Package - WorldECRNew Tang DynastyWION

European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas expressed regret over the continued reliance on Russian energy, stating, "We have been saying for quite some time that the dependency on Russian oil and gas is actually also fueling the war." In contrast, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced plans to suspend Russian gas transit contracts by 2026, aligning with EU efforts to accelerate the phase-out timeline.

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While the EU aims to phase out all Russian energy imports by 2028, Hungary and Slovakia have indicated they will oppose new sanctions affecting pipeline gas. This divergence raises questions about the feasibility of a unified EU approach to Russian energy imports.

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The EU is negotiating a legal framework to expedite the phase-out of Russian gas imports, potentially moving the deadline to January 2027. However, achieving unanimous support among member states remains a significant hurdle, particularly with Hungary and Slovakia's opposition.

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The EU's struggle to reduce its dependency on Russian gas highlights the complexities of energy security in the context of geopolitical tensions. As the bloc seeks to balance immediate energy needs with long-term strategic goals, the ongoing imports of Russian gas present a significant challenge to its sanctions policy and broader objectives in the Ukraine conflict.

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