EU finalizes Russian gas import ban

EU member states on Monday approved a complete ban on gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027 at the latest.

According to the agreement, imports of Russian gas delivered via pipeline are to be phased out from November 1, 2027 at the latest, including long-term contracts.

Twenty-four of the 27 EU member states voted in favour of the new regulation in Brussels, giving it the necessary majority.

Negotiators from the member states and the European Parliament came to an agreement on the regulation in December, and the European Parliament has already given the green light.

According to an analysis by the European Commission, the ban on Russian gas poses no risk to security of supply.

There are enough other suppliers on the global market, Brussels said last year, and insisted that consumers would therefore not have to worry about rising gas prices.