The import of Russian gas into the European Union must be completely banned by the end of 2026. This position has been adopted by the relevant committees in the European Parliament.
A tanker filled with LNG arrives at the terminal of Cavaou in the south of France (Photo: CLÉMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP)
If it depends on the Members of the European Parliament, the import of oil will be completely banned by New Year. A year later, by January 1, 2027, the import of gas must also belong to the past. With these deadlines, they are advocating for an even faster phase-out than the Commission proposed in June. Meanwhile, that Commission is also pushing for an early ban on the import of liquefied gas (lng) starting in January 2027 as part of a new package of sanctions against Russia.
The Members of the European Parliament also expressed support for a ban on services to Russian companies in lng terminals starting in January 2027. This could have implications for the Belgian gas company Fluxys. The operator of the lng terminal in Zeebrugge still has a long-term contract with the Russian Yamal.
Belgian diplomacy has been advocating in recent weeks for the removal of the relevant articles. Not because Belgium opposes the phase-out of Russian lng, but because it fears that a ban based on this legal framework could be undermined at the European Court of Justice.
Belgium believes that there are other ways to provide legal certainty, and according to diplomatic sources, this approach also seems to be preferred by the other member states. The energy ministers of the 27 will discuss the draft regulation on Monday at a meeting in Luxembourg. Afterwards, the member states and the European Parliament will need to reach an agreement among themselves.
