The Council of the EU presidency and the European Parliament representatives on Wednesday reached a provisional agreement on phasing out Russian natural gas imports.
The regulation introduces a legally binding, stepwise prohibition on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas imports from Russia, with a full ban from the end of 2026 and autumn 2027, respectively.
Lars Aagaard, Denmark's minister for climate, energy and utilities, welcomed the agreement as "a big win for Europe," saying it demonstrates the bloc's determination to strengthen its energy security.
The co-legislators confirmed that imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG will be prohibited from six weeks after entry into force of the regulation, while maintaining a transition period for existing contracts.
In particular, for short-term supply contracts concluded before June 17, 2025, the prohibition of Russian gas imports will apply from April 25, 2026 for LNG and June 17, 2026 for pipeline gas.
For long-term contracts for LNG imports, the prohibition will apply from January 1, 2027, in line with the 19th sanctions package.
As regards long-term contracts for pipeline gas imports, the prohibition will kick in on September 30, 2027, conditioned on the storage filling targets foreseen in the gas storage regulation being in line to be fulfilled, and at the latest on November 1, 2027.
Amendments to existing contracts will be permitted only for narrowly defined operational purposes and cannot lead to increased volumes, the Council noted.
The regulation also establishes a prior authorisation system for gas imports to prevent circumvention and requires all member states to submit national diversification plans detailing how they will replace Russian supplies. Countries still importing Russian oil will need to submit similar plans.
The text includes penalties for companies and individuals who breach the rules and maintains a narrowly defined emergency clause allowing temporary suspension of the ban if energy security is threatened.
The provisional deal will enter into force once it is formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council.
Reporting by Ata Ufuk Seker in Brussels
Writing by Ebru Sengul Cevrioglu
Anadolu Agency
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