EU spends €7.9 bn on Russian Arctic LNG despite phase-out pledge
The EU bought about €7.88 billion worth of Russian Arctic LNG in the first nine months of 2026, even as it plans to ban such imports by 2027.
According to Urgewald’s analysis of Kpler data, the EU imported a record 12.18 million tonnes of Russian Arctic LNG from the Yamal project during the first three quarters of 2026, costing about €7.88 billion. Although the bloc introduced a ban on new Russian energy contracts at the start of 2026, the comprehensive embargo on Russian LNG will only take effect on 1 January 2027, allowing continued purchases that fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.
France received the bulk of September deliveries, with Dunkirk and Montoir handling 571.716 million tonnes, while the Netherlands and Portugal also imported significant volumes. The persistence of these imports highlights the limits of short-term bans and the logistical challenges of the specialized Arc7 ice-class tanker fleet. Urgewald urges the upcoming 22nd EU sanctions package to close loopholes, especially those enabling the Arc7 fleet, and notes that U.S. sanctions under the Lindsey Graham Act could disrupt the trade before the EU’s own embargo takes effect.
Why it matters
EU's continued purchase of Russian LNG undermines its pledge to cut energy ties with Moscow and funds the war in Ukraine.
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