EU plans to cease importing Russian liquefied natural gas on Jan 1 2027, aiming to dramatically reduce financing for Putin’s war against Ukraine.
EU still largest buyer of Russian LNG
Since 2022, EU LNG imports from Russia have fallen 89%, yet payments for remaining shipments, particularly of tankers from Siberia, continue to support the Russian budget. EU remains the biggest purchaser of Russian liquefied natural gas, surpassing China and Japan.
Russian export revenues and EU share
According to Greenpeace data, Jamal LNG, Russia’s leading exporter, sold 34 billion euros of LNG in the first three years of the Ukraine war. Tax receipts amounted to 8.15 billion euros. These sums could purchase 271,000 long‑range drones, nearly 2,700 T‑90M main battle tanks, or 9.5 million 152‑mm artillery shells.
Two‑thirds of the revenue flows to Europe
While the figures represent total Russian air‑gas revenue, at least two‑thirds of that total is attributed to EU nations.
European dependence paradox
France, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands appear heavily reliant on Russian gas. Greenpeace data shows that since 2022 these countries have transferred more money to Russia than they have donated in bilateral aid to Ukraine.
Germany’s continuing role
The state‑owned SEFE, which replaced the 国有 Gazprom Germania in 2022, arranged 50 deliveries of Arctic Russian LNG this year, valued at roughly two billion euros.
EU’s dual spending amid political pressures
EU governments, wary of short‑term issues such as rising energy prices, inflation, recession and possible contract‑break penalties, oppose an immediate halt to LNG supplies. Yet the money spent on Russian gas funds both Putin’s soldiers and the attackers of Europe, while simultaneously billions are allocated for Ukrainian aid—creating a stark paradox.
