EU countries will complete the process of abandoning Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by January 1, 2027, according to the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia published on Thursday.
It emphasizes that the EU’s goal is to “prohibit the purchase, import, direct or indirect transfer of LNG from Russia to the EU.” Also, according to the plan, “the provision of relevant technical and financial assistance” will be banned.
The document explains that the first stage of the ban on the purchase of LNG from Russia will take effect on April 25, 2026, and will apply only to some contracts. A complete ban is planned for January 1, 2027.
According to the text of the published document, from April 25, 2026, EU countries will be prohibited from purchasing, importing, or transporting LNG produced or exported from Russia. It is also prohibited to provide, directly or indirectly, technical support, brokerage services, financial and other services related to this ban.
However, this ban will only apply from January 2027 in the case of LNG supply contracts (excluding derivatives) with a duration of more than one year and was concluded before June 17, 2025, and if the contract has not been amended since then, except in cases where the amendments are limited to a reduction in contract volumes, a reduction in prices or penalties, a change in confidentiality terms, a change in operating procedures such as communication procedures, a change in the addresses of the parties, the transfer of contractual rights and obligations, or the assignment of the contract between affiliates or affiliates, and a change in confidentiality terms.
In addition, such a change in the contract may be the supply of LNG to landlocked countries, and contract adjustments relate to changes in national delivery points.
At the same time, according to the EU Council resolution, the European Union is tightening measures against Russia’s oil sector.
The press release states that the 19th package of sanctions provides for a strengthening of the previously imposed ban on transactions involving Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.
“The EU is imposing a complete ban on transactions with Rosneft and Gazprom Neft: the new measures remove exemptions for these companies’ imports of oil and gas into the EU. At the same time, oil imports from third countries, such as Kazakhstan, and oil transportation to third countries, subject to compliance with the “price cap” condition, are not subject to restrictions,” the EU press release says.
The EU also states that it is taking measures against important operators from third countries through which Russia receives income. This includes sanctions against Chinese companies — two refineries and one oil trader — that purchase significant volumes of Russian oil.
The import of “modified” liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been banned. “This measure is aimed at eliminating ways to circumvent restrictions, as some member states report that this option has been used to circumvent existing restrictions on LPG,” the press release says.
The EU prohibits the import, purchase, or transport of “all acyclic hydrocarbons.” The import of certain types of rubber and tires is also prohibited.
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