The European Parliament has proposed a complete ban on oil imports by New Year’s Day. A year later, by January 1, 2027, gas imports are also expected to be phased out. These proposed timelines advocate for a quicker transition than what the Commission suggested in June. Additionally, the Commission is seeking an early ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports starting January 2027 as part of new sanctions against Russia.
The Members of the European Parliament have also supported a prohibition on services to Russian companies operating in LNG terminals beginning January 2027. This could impact Belgium’s gas company Fluxys, which has a long-term contract with Russia’s Yamal at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal.
In recent weeks, Belgian diplomats have been working to remove the relevant provisions. Their aim is not to oppose the phase-out of Russian LNG, but to avoid potential legal challenges at the European Court of Justice. Belgium advocates for alternative solutions to ensure legal certainty, a stance that appears to be shared by other member states. Energy ministers from the 27 nations will discuss the draft regulation on Monday in Luxembourg, after which an agreement will need to be reached between the member states and the European Parliament.
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