On 3 February 2026, EU Regulation 2026/261 on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and preparing the phase-out of Russian oil imports came into effect.
The regulation applies to both Russian-origin LNG and pipeline gas and sets out the end dates for their supply to the EU.
On the LNG side, the phase out periods mirror the same periods already set out in the 19th EU Sanctions Package (see our video). By way of reminder, back in October 2025, the EU already committed in this sanctions’ package to phase out Russian origin LNG (and any related services provided by the EU operators) by 25 April 2026 (for the supply contracts of one year or less) and 1 January 2027 (for other contracts).
It is for the first time, however, that the EU formally decides to bring to an end the pipeline supplies of Russian origin gas. The relevant deadlines are 17 June 2026 for short-term supply contracts and 30 September 2027 for long-term supply contracts (with a possible extension by 1 November 2027).
The supplies until such end dates can continue only under existing contracts entered into before 17 June 2025. No new contracts are permitted and no amendments to existing contracts are permitted when such amendments increase volumes and/or prices.
As we discussed in our earlier video, the current supplies of Russian pipeline gas have substantially diminished over last 4 years from, approximately, 150bcm per year to, approximately, 20-15bcm per year.
This reduction of pipeline gas supplies has been so far unrelated to any EU policy, but was more a consequence of the main Russian gas pipelines (Nord Stream 1/2, Yamal, and Soyuz pipelines) being either physically damaged (Nord Streams 1/2 pipelines) or the relevant transit agreements coming to an end and not extended (Soyuz pipeline), as well as the individual decisions of certain EU Member States to stop purchasing Russian pipeline gas (which brought to an end deliveries by Yamal pipeline whereby gas was delivered to Germany through Belarus and Poland).
Currently the only pipeline supplying Russian gas to Europe is TurkStream which has a limited transportation capacity. Out of the EU Member States, Hungary and Slovakia are reported to remain the main purchasers of Russian pipeline gas, but it is also likely that Greece, Austria, and Bulgaria continue to do so given connectivity to TurkStream.
It may be argued, accordingly, that also with respect to Russian pipeline gas the regulation is more a reflection of the current business reality, rather than a fundamental game changer.
Nevertheless, viewed from historical perspective of putting an end to many decades of purchasing Russian pipeline gas, including during the Cold War period, the regulation is certainly a very important, even if from a symbolic perspective, milestone in EU – Russia sanctions’ relationship. It is also important from the perspective that any reinstatement of Russian gas supplies will require now a majority decision of the EU Member States, rather than been left to individual decision of each national government.