Europe again increases imports of Russian gas

In the first quarter of 2026, EU countries increased imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to reduced supplies from the Middle East.

Source: Financial Times, citing Kpler research group

Details: In the first three months of 2026, imports from the Yamal LNG project in Siberia rose by 17% to 5 million tonnes compared to the same period in 2025.

As a result, EU countries spent around €2.88 billion on gas from this plant.

Yamal accounts for the vast majority of Russian LNG imports into the EU. In the first three months of the year, the bloc received 69 out of 71 cargoes from Yamal (97%), with 25 of them arriving in March after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In the same period of 2025, the EU accounted for 87% of 68 cargoes. The remaining shipments were directed to Asia.

At the same time, the EU does not plan to abandon its goal of completely phasing out Russian gas by the end of 2027.

Background: The European Union will grant gas producers greater flexibility regarding methane import rules in order to avoid gas shortages in the union.

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