Despite the European Union's declared goal to phase out Russian energy supplies by 2027, some countries continue to increase their imports of gas from Russia. According to a report by the Ember analytical center, in 2024, Russian gas supplies to the EU grew by 18% compared to 2023, including both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The largest increase in imports was recorded in Italy, the Czech Republic, and France. Analysts predict that this trend will continue into 2025 as reported byTagesschau.
Experts from Ember note that the increase in Russian gas imports is not driven by higher demand within the EU. Additionally, gas prices are expected to rise by nearly 60% this year.
"It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas," says Pawel Czyzak from Ember. "Instead of investing in real alternatives like renewable energy and efficiency to stop Russian imports, member states are wasting money on expensive LNG capacities that aren’t even being used."
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU imposed sanctions on Russian energy resources, including oil and coal. However, the complete cessation of gas imports remains a declaration without legal force. In early 2024, Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory, but LNG supplies from Russia to the EU continue. Only investments in LNG projects currently under construction in Russia, as well as exports related to these projects, are prohibited. Additionally, EU ports cannot be used for the shipment of Russian LNG to third countries.
The European Commission is preparing a roadmap to phase out Russian gas, which is expected to be presented in the coming weeks. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen criticized the behavior of member states in an interview with Handelsblatt.
"It is completely unacceptable to continue purchasing fossil fuels from Russia, thus indirectly filling Putin's war chest," he said. "Since the beginning of the war, we have spent as much money on fossil fuels from Russia as would be required to buy 2,400 F-35 fighter jets."
The largest gas suppliers to the EU are currently Norway and the USA. As gas will still be needed in Europe in the coming years, the European Commission aims to intensify energy relations with the United States.
"We are trying to diversify as much as possible, but there are not many alternatives for LNG purchases," Jørgensen stated. Despite strained diplomatic relations across the Atlantic, he noted that these topics could still be discussed.
