EU Increases Import of Russian Liquefied Gas in the First Quarter of 2026

The European Union significantly increased its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia during the first quarter of 2026. According to estimates by the analytical company Kpler, EU countries accounted for 97% of all purchases from the Russian Yamal LNG project, which is controlled by Novatek.

This is reported by AgroReview

Import Volumes and Main Supply Directions

From January to March 2026, approximately 5 million tons of Russian LNG were imported into the EU. This is a 17% increase compared to the same period last year. The main destination ports remain Zeebrugge (Belgium), Mantua, Dunkirk (France), Bilbao (Spain), and Rotterdam (Netherlands). The total volume of supplies is estimated to have exceeded 3 billion dollars.

Impact of the Geopolitical Situation

In March 2026, amid a reduction in LNG imports from Qatar due to the Israel and US operation against Iran, Russia supplied 1.5 million tons of gas to the EU. Despite geopolitical challenges and fluctuations in global market prices, EU countries continue to purchase Russian gas, while simultaneously declaring plans to gradually phase it out.

“Supplies continue despite the EU’s intention to completely abandon Russian gas, including LNG, by 2027. The European Commission emphasized that despite the reduction in supplies on the global market and rising fuel prices, the EU has no intention of revising its plans to abandon Russian gas.”

Thus, despite the official aspiration of the European Union to minimize dependence on energy resources from Russia, the volumes of LNG imports from this country continue to grow in 2026.