The European Union has reached a pivotal agreement to ban Russian gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from entering the bloc by the end of 2026 and mid-2027, marking a significant step towards energy independence. This comprehensive prohibition comes with specific exceptions tailored for Hungary and Slovakia, allowing them continued access to Moscow’s gas in the event of supply disruptions.

Under the new legislation, which aims for no more Russian LNG or pipeline gas entering the EU by the end of 2027, the ban will apply to short-term supply contracts concluded before June 17, 2025, starting from April 25, 2026, for LNG and June 17, 2026, for pipeline gas. Long-term LNG import contracts are permitted to continue until January 1, 2027, aligning with the 19th sanctions package. For long-term pipeline gas import contracts, the prohibition will commence on September 30, 2027, with a possible extension to November 1, 2027, dependent on the level of storage filling across member states.

This initiative gains further momentum from the EU's long-standing priority to reduce reliance on Russian energy imports, a commitment significantly intensified following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which caused widespread energy price disruptions. Since then, the EU has pursued various measures to diversify energy suppliers and diminish its dependence on Russia. EU data indicates a substantial decrease in the bloc's reliance on Moscow for gas, falling from 45% before the invasion to 13% in the first half of 2025. Despite this drastic reduction, Russian gas imports still amounted to €10 billion, with Belgium, France, and Spain notably among the member states still receiving Russian LNG via transhipments.

The agreement was reached after complex negotiations between the European Parliament and EU governments. While most EU countries supported the ban, viewing it as a means to weaken Moscow's ability to finance the war, landlocked nations like Hungary and Slovakia voiced concerns over supply security and potential increases in energy prices, citing unfair competition. Initially, the Parliament opposed exemptions for these countries but ultimately conceded to the Council's position. Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s minister for climate and energy, lauded the swift agreement, emphasizing the bloc's commitment to strengthening security and safeguarding energy supply.

Despite the agreement, both Hungary and Slovakia are poised to challenge the new law once it is formally adopted. Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Péter Szijjártó has strongly criticized the measure, calling it an