The European Union has adopted a regulation making legally binding the progressive elimination of all Russian gas imports—both via pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—with deadlines staggered between 2026 and autumn 2027. This decision turns a political objective into a structured legal framework, introducing a permit system, financial sanctions and expanded contractual oversight.

A sectoral legal basis to bypass political vetoes

By choosing a regulation under energy and trade law, the Union avoided the unanimity requirement of traditional foreign policy sanctions. Adopted by qualified majority, the text bypassed the vetoes of Hungary and Slovakia. It complements the EU’s 19th sanctions package by including pipeline gas, which comes on top of the already scheduled ban on Russian LNG from 1 January 2027.

Read more in Energy News here.

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