This Wednesday, the 17th, the European Parliament approved the progressive end of imports of natural gas by pipeline and Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the European Union (EU) from 2026, providing for maximum sanctions in case of infringement.
“The new legislation approved today will protect the EU’s energy security from the instrumentalization operated by the Russian Federation”, announces the European assembly in a statement.
The legislation, agreed with the Council, was approved in the plenary session of the European Parliament, in the French city of Strasbourg, by 500 votes in favor, 120 votes against and 32 abstentions.
It is planned that “Russian LNG purchased on the spot market will be banned in the EU as soon as the regulation comes into force, at the beginning of 2026, and gas imports via pipeline will be progressively eliminated by September 30, 2027”, it adds.
During negotiations, EU co-legislators brought forward the phase-out deadlines for most import contracts, defining sanctions to be applied by Member States to operators in case of infringement.
Also in the discussions, MEPs defended a ban on all imports of Russian oil and assured that the European Commission committed to presenting legislation to this effect at the beginning of 2026, so that an effective ban could come into force as soon as possible and, at the latest, by the end of 2027.
“Parliamentarians also called for stricter conditions, allowing a temporary suspension of the import ban, in emergency situations related to EU energy security”, says the European Parliament.
Portuguese PS MEP Francisco Assis is one of the shadow rapporteurs.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has tried to diversify its energy dependence on Russia, with imports falling significantly, especially in countries like Portugal.