The European Parliament voted to ban imports of Russian natural gas, approving a regulation that will phase out LNG by December 2026 and pipeline gas by September 2027, with only one Polish member opposing.
Regulation Adoption and Phasing Out 2026‑2027
In a clear majority, 500 European MPs voted for the regulation, 120 against and 32 abstained. The EU will gradually cease importing Russian gas, with a ban on liquefied natural gas taking effect at the end of December 2026 and a ban on pipeline‑supplied gas from 30 September 2027.
Slovakia and Hungary asked for an extension, but the rules remain in place. The regulation also permits an exception for countries that cannot meet storage requirements; in those cases the ban would shift to 1 November 2027. Penalties will be imposed on operators who violate the new rules.
Voting Controversy Over One Polish MP
Grzegorz Braun, the sole Polish Member of the European Parliament to vote against the ban, drew comments from government officials and social‑media users. Two other Polish MPs—Anna Bryłka and Tomasz Buczek of the Confederation—abstained on the vote.
Oil Ban and Sanctions
Earlier in the negotiation stage, the Parliament also demanded a ban on Russian oil. The European Commission committed to proposing relevant legislative measures in early 2026, aiming for a full oil ban by the end of 2027. These measures will also require approval by the EU Council and publication in the Official Journal.
Rising Support for Braun
A poll released on 17 December showed Braun’s popularity edging slightly ahead of the Confederation. While right‑wing competitors remain cautious, overall support for the Confederation of the Polish Crown continues to grow.
