Brussels (ANSA) – A trilogue agreement has been reached between the EU Council and the European Parliament regarding a regulation aimed at phasing out imports of Russian natural gas. This regulation establishes a gradual and legally binding ban on the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas through pipelines from Russia.
The ban is set to begin six weeks after the regulation is enacted, employing a gradual approach for existing contracts. Specifically, short-term supply contracts signed before 17 June 2025 must be concluded by 25 April 2026 for LNG and by 17 June 2026 for pipeline gas.
Regarding long-term LNG contracts, the ban will take effect from 1 January 2027, in line with the sanctions regime established by the 19th package directed at Moscow. The suspension will commence on 30 September 2027 for long-term contracts, contingent on meeting storage filling targets, with a final deadline of 1 November 2027.
“Today marks a historic moment for the European Union,” stated the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. “Many doubted it would be achievable, yet here we are. I always believed we could accomplish this. We are now prepared to forge partnerships with new, reliable suppliers,” she added.
Hungary has signaled its intention to contest the EU’s plan to prohibit imports of Russian gas. “Once the RePowerEU plan is formally adopted, we will promptly challenge it in the Court of Justice of the EU. Legal actions will commence immediately. Preparatory work is already in progress,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on X. “We will take all necessary measures,” he emphasized, “to protect Hungary’s energy security.”
The agreement awaits ratification by the 27 member states and the Plenary. “At last, we are permanently turning off the supply of Russian gas. We will never revert to our detrimental dependency on Russia,” asserted Commissioner Dan Jorgensen on 3 December.
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