European Union energy ministers on Monday backed a proposal to ban gas imports from Russia, strengthening the bloc’s efforts to further reduce Russian revenues from energy exports and raising hopes for a conclusion to the talks.
“An energy-independent Europe is a stronger and more secure Europe,” said Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard, who chaired the negotiations.
“Even though we have worked hard and lobbied for Russian gas and oil to be withdrawn from Europe in recent years, we are not there yet,” Mr Aagaard said.
Agreeing a common position on stopping imports was necessary before the bill could be finalized with the European Parliament.
EU lawmakers already backed the proposal in a vote last week, allowing them to begin negotiations with capitals.
Aagaard, who will be one of the lead negotiators, said his “clear ambition” was to conclude the negotiations before the end of the year.
Under the proposal, pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia would be permanently banned from 2028 at the latest.
The ban that will be negotiated with the European Parliament will be adopted by a majority, meaning countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which import pipeline gas from Russia, could be outvoted.
It was crucial that the initiative “obtained massive support from European energy ministers”, Aagaard said on Monday.
Parallel efforts are underway for a faster ban on LNG imports as part of the next EU sanctions package against Russia.
Last year, Moscow still accounted for around a fifth of all gas imports to the EU, with a growing share of LNG, according to EU figures. In the first half of 2025, the bloc imported LNG from Russia worth almost 4.5 billion euros ($5.3 billion).
Sanctions could be adopted as soon as the 27 EU members accept the measures without the participation of the European Parliament, which would speed up the legislative process.
The punitive sanctions against Russia are, however, temporary and will have to be lifted once the war in Ukraine is over and the EU no longer sees reason to penalize Moscow.
An agreement between EU countries and the European Parliament on banning gas pipelines and LNG aims to permanently end imports of Russian fuel.
Katherina Reiche, German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, attends the meeting of EU energy ministers in Luxembourg. François Lenoir/European Council/dpa
A view from the meeting of EU energy ministers in Luxembourg. François Lenoir/European Council/dpa
