Finance
EU countries give final approval to Russian gas ban
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 26, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Summary
EU countries approve a ban on Russian gas imports by 2027, overcoming opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, to reduce dependency post-Ukraine invasion.
EU countries give final approval to Russian gas ban
EU's Energy Policy Changes
BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (Reuters) - European Union countries on Monday gave their final approval to the bloc's plan to ban Russian gas imports by late 2027, allowing it to pass into law.
Background on Russian Gas Supply
The policy makes legally-binding the EU's vow to cut ties with its former top gas supplier, nearly four years after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Opposition from Hungary and Slovakia
Ministers from EU countries approved the law at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, although Slovakia and Hungary voted against.
Implementation Timeline
Hungary said it would take the case to the European Court of Justice.
The ban was designed to be approved by a reinforced majority of countries, allowing it to overcome opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, who remain heavily reliant on Russian energy imports and want to maintain close ties with Moscow.
Under the agreement, the EU will halt Russian liquefied natural gas imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by 30 September 2027.
The law allows that deadline to shift to November 1 2027, at the latest, if a country is struggling to fill its gas storage caverns with non-Russian supply ahead of the winter heating season.
Russia supplied more than 40% of the EU's gas before the Ukraine war. That share dropped to around 13% in 2025, according to the latest available EU data.
(Reporting by Kate Abnett, editing by Bart Meijer)
Key Takeaways
- •EU finalizes plan to ban Russian gas imports by 2027.
- •Hungary and Slovakia oppose the ban, citing reliance on Russian energy.
- •The ban includes liquefied natural gas by 2026 and pipeline gas by 2027.
- •The EU aims to reduce dependency on Russian gas post-Ukraine invasion.
- •Russia's gas supply to the EU dropped significantly since 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU countries give final approval to Russian gas ban
1What is liquefied natural gas (LNG)?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state for ease of storage and transport. It is used as a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels.
2What is the European Court of Justice?
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is the highest court in the European Union, ensuring EU law is interpreted and applied consistently across member states.
