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EU Sets Record Russian LNG Imports Ahead of 2025 Ban

7/13/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

EU imports of Russian Yamal LNG reached a record 9.97 million metric tons in H1 2026.
The 136 cargoes were worth €5.96 billion and went mainly to France, Belgium and Spain.
The EU halted short-term Russian LNG imports in April 2026 but permits long-term contracts until 1 January 2027.
Companies accelerated deliveries because a 2025 EU ban on trans-shipments will keep more cargoes in Europe.

History

Historical Context

In January 2009 a dispute between Gazprom and Ukraine halted 90 million m³/day of gas destined for Ukraine and reduced the 300 million m³/day flowing to Europe, leaving eighteen EU states with sharp supply cuts. The crisis revealed that roughly a quarter of EU gas—and about 80 % of its Russian imports—relied on pipelines crossing Ukraine, prompting the bloc to pursue alternative sources such as Yamal LNG.

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Story summary

EU imports of Russian Yamal LNG reached a record 9.97 million metric tons in H1 2026.
The 136 cargoes were worth €5.96 billion and went mainly to France, Belgium and Spain.
The EU halted short-term Russian LNG imports in April 2026 but permits long-term contracts until 1 January 2027.
Companies accelerated deliveries because a 2025 EU ban on trans-shipments will keep more cargoes in Europe.

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