EU bans russian gas by 2027, expands wind power

January 28, 2026

European Union ministers have officially approved new legislation aimed at cutting off Russian energy supplies, marking a major shift in the bloc’s energy policy. The decision was finalized during a meeting in Brussels on Monday, despite opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, while Bulgaria chose to abstain.

Hungary announced it plans to challenge the regulation at the European Court of Justice, arguing that the measure could harm its national energy security.

The law was passed using a reinforced majority voting mechanism, enabling it to move forward without unanimous support. This approach helped override resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, two nations that remain heavily dependent on Russian energy and maintain strong diplomatic ties with Moscow.

Timeline for ending russian gas imports

Under the new agreement, the EU will completely stop importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2026. Pipeline gas deliveries will be terminated by September 30, 2027.

In exceptional cases, countries struggling to secure enough non-Russian gas for winter reserves may receive an extension until November 1, 2027.

Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow supplied more than 40% of the EU’s natural gas. By 2025, that figure had fallen sharply to approximately 13%, according to official EU statistics.

Despite this decline, several member states continue purchasing Russian oil, LNG, and pipeline gas. Critics argue that these ongoing transactions undermine efforts to financially isolate Russia and support Ukraine.

New rules ban russian gas contracts

The legislation also bans European companies from signing new energy agreements with Russian suppliers. Businesses with existing contracts will be required to terminate them in line with the new regulations.

Short-term contracts signed before June 17, 2025, will be prohibited starting April 25, 2026, for LNG, and June 17, 2026, for pipeline gas. Long-term agreements must be phased out entirely by the final 2027 deadline.

Companies that fail to comply may face fines of up to 3.5% of their total global annual revenue.

According to research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the EU’s five largest importers spent €1.4 billion on Russian energy in just one month last year, with Hungary leading purchases, followed by France and Belgium.

Although the EU introduced sanctions on Russian seaborne oil in 2022, gas imports were excluded due to the requirement for unanimous approval among all 27 member states.

Future plans: oil and nuclear fuel phase-out

The European Commission is preparing additional legislation aimed at reducing dependence on Russian pipeline oil and nuclear fuel. These measures are expected to be introduced in the coming months as part of the EU’s broader energy diversification strategy.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Denys Shmyhal, welcomed the 2027 deadline, stating that independence from Russian energy is essential for creating “a safe and resilient Europe.”

North Sea Nations Unite for renewable energy expansion

On the same day, nine European countries—including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Denmark—signed a landmark agreement to transform the North Sea into the world’s largest renewable energy hub.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen described the initiative as a strong political message to Moscow, emphasizing that Europe will no longer tolerate energy-based pressure tactics or indirectly finance the war in Ukraine.

The agreement, signed at the third North Sea Summit in Hamburg, commits participating countries to developing 100 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity through joint projects. This output could supply electricity to nearly 100 million households.

Offshore wind at the heart of Europe’s energy strategy

The new pledge supports a long-term objective established in 2023 to reach 300 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2050.

Responding to criticism of wind energy from U.S. President Donald Trump, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband defended offshore wind as a vital component of national security.

He stated that renewable energy provides reliable, domestically controlled power and reduces reliance on authoritarian regimes and fossil fuel exporters.