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FT: EU countries have increased LNG imports from Russia
EU countries, against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, significantly increased imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first quarter of 2026. This was reported by the Financial Times with reference to the analytical company Kpler.
According to data cited by the publication, the EU accounts for 97% of all purchases made from January to March at the Russian Yamal LNG project, owned by Novatek. In total, about 5 million tons of fuel were sent to the EU, which is 17% more than a year earlier. The main destination ports are Zeebrugge (Belgium), Montoire, Dunkirk (France), Bilbao (Spain) and Rotterdam (Netherlands). Estimates put the total value of shipments at more than $3 billion.
As of March, when Qatar reduced LNG imports due to the Israeli and US operation against Iran, 1.5 million tons of Russian gas were supplied.
The deliveries are being made despite the EU’s intention to completely phase out Russian gas, including LNG, by 2027. The European Commission emphasized that, despite the reduction in supply on the world market and rising fuel prices, the EU does not plan to revise plans to abandon Russian gas.
FT: EU countries have increased LNG imports from Russia