In a landmark decision that marks a decisive break from decades of energy dependence, the European Union has agreed to ban all imports of Russian oil and gas by January 2028. The move, endorsed by energy ministers during a meeting in Luxembourg, will cover both pipeline oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied by Russia to EU countries.
The new regulation, approved by a majority of member states, forms a core component of the EU’s REPowerEU roadmap, an ambitious plan to end reliance on Russian energy and strengthen Europe’s long-term energy security.
The initiative comes in response to what EU leaders have described as “Russia’s weaponisation of energy supplies”, which disrupted markets and sent prices soaring across the continent following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. According to a statement from the European Council, the regulation is central to the EU’s broader efforts to secure energy autonomy.
Before the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia supplied nearly 40% of the EU’s gas and 30% of its oil, making Europe heavily dependent on Moscow’s exports. However, after the Versailles Declaration of 2022, EU leaders formally committed to phasing out fossil fuel imports from Russia.
Oil imports from Russia have dropped to below 3% in 2025. Gas imports still account for roughly 13% of total EU gas supply, largely due to long-term contracts and infrastructure limitations.
During his address to the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump criticised NATO members for “funding a war against themselves” by continuing to buy Russian energy.
The REPowerEU plan, introduced in May 2025, outlines a phased strategy to completely eliminate Russian energy imports while scaling up investments in renewable energy, LNG terminals, and cross-border electricity grids. The initiative also encourages member states to boost domestic production of clean hydrogen and expand storage infrastructure to buffer against future supply shocks.
