EU sets new Russian gas record despite ban plans data

**EU Imports Record Volumes of Russian LNG Amid Push for Bans**

The European Union has continued to import record volumes of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), despite ongoing efforts by the bloc to phase out purchases from Russia, according to data cited by Bloomberg.

While the EU has banned purchases under new short-term contracts and plans to end long-term imports of Russian LNG starting next year, its latest sanctions package includes exemptions. These provisions allow European companies to continue transporting Russian LNG to third-country markets, following objections from member states that argued broader bans would harm their domestic economies.

According to Bloomberg calculations published in August, Belgium relied entirely on Russian LNG imports in July, importing approximately 400,000 tons of the fuel as disruptions in the Middle East limited alternative supplies. Overall, Belgium’s total LNG purchases fell by more than 40% year-on-year in July. Data indicates that Moscow remained Europe’s second-largest LNG supplier behind the United States.

Data from Kpler, cited by the *Financial Times* in July, showed that the EU imported a record 9.89 million tons of LNG from Russia’s Yamal project during the first half of the year, representing an 18% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. France was the largest importer during this period, followed by Belgium and Spain.

European energy markets have faced persistent volatility since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, which prompted the EU to scale back Russian energy imports. Prior to 2022, Russia supplied approximately 45% of the bloc’s natural gas imports. Natural gas remains the most difficult commodity for the EU to replace among the restrictions imposed on Russia.

Further strain on European energy markets has developed following disruptions in the Middle East, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for roughly 20% of global oil and LNG trade. Suppliers such as QatarEnergy have declared force majeure on shipments, driving European buyers to compete for supplies from the United States and West Africa. The resulting increase in prices, freight costs, and supply constraints has contributed to inflation across the bloc, with analysts raising concerns over potential gas shortages during the upcoming winter.

The EU’s sanctions policy on the matter faced internal debate. Greece successfully lobbied for exemptions in the bloc’s 21st sanctions package to protect European companies involved in transporting Russian LNG to third countries, arguing that restrictions would disadvantage its shipping sector while benefiting foreign competitors.

The Russian government has condemned EU energy sanctions as illegal and self-defeating, asserting that the measures have harmed the economic competitiveness of the bloc.

Article and image source: russiaherald.com