EU Confirms No Reversal on Russian Arctic LNG Ban Despite Strait of Hormuz Closure

Despite recent geopolitical shocks in the Middle East and speculation by some political leaders, including Norway’s Energy Ministry, Brussels has made clear it will adhere to its sanctions timetable.

The EU, currently the primary buyer of Russia’s Arctic Yamal LNG imports roughly 75–80% of the project’s output, will begin to phase out deliveries in April with a total ban to follow by January 2027.

“We’ve decided in the European Union that we do not want to re-import Russian energy", EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told reporters after a summit of the bloc’s energy ministers.

“It’s extremely important that we stick to this line — we cannot in Europe help indirectly finance Russia’s brutal, illegal war.”

Dismissed the arguments

The Hormuz situation, including the temporary closure of the strategic Strait and disruptions at Qatari LNG facilities, had fueled debate within the EU about whether to reconsider its approach. Some policymakers argued that supply concerns could complicate the bloc’s efforts to refill gas reservoirs ahead of next winter.

But Jørgensen dismissed such arguments.

“We’ve been far too long dependent on energy from Russia, making it possible for Putin to blackmail us with energy, making it possible for Putin to weaponize energy against us, and we are determined to stay on course with these issues,” he said.

“It would be a mistake for us to repeat what we did in the past. In the future, we will not import as much as one molecule from Russia.”

Relaxes sanctions

The EU’s firm stance contrasts with the United States, which recently granted a 30-day waiver allowing Russian oil loaded in March to reach markets, potentially providing Moscow with up to $150 million in additional daily revenue. Some analysts estimate the waiver could inject as much as $10 billion into Russia’s budget, bolstering its war effort.

For the EU, sticking with the ban means it will need to replace around 15 million tonnes of Russian Arctic LNG in 2027, when the ban for long-term contracts comes into effect on Jan. 1. Short-term contracts will be phased out in April 2026, which may already affect the ability to secure ad hoc cargoes.

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However, most Yamal LNG shipments to Europe are covered under long-term agreements.

Not all EU member states share Brussels’ hardline approach. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly opposed efforts to cut Russian energy imports, while leaders in France and Belgium have questioned the necessity of a full ban in the past. 

Belgium's Prime Minister in recent days called for the eventual return to "cheap" Russian gas.

"We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense… In private, European leaders agree with me, but no one dares to say it out loud," Bart De Wever said in an interview.

EU remains dependent

In practice, imports have remained high in recent months: EU countries purchased 93% of Yamal LNG production in January and 100% in February, according to shipping data analyzed by advocacy group Urgewald.

Russia has meanwhile hinted at the possibility of redirecting LNG shipments to Asia in response to EU sanctions, though analysts say logistical constraints, including limited ice-class shipping capacity, make a near-term pivot unlikely.

The loss of a Russian LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, in the Mediterranean earlier this month further underscores the risks and challenges in rerouting shipments.

Despite these pressures, Brussels signaled it will not waver. EU policymakers are now focused on accelerating alternative LNG supplies and boosting storage ahead of the 2027 deadline, seeking to mitigate the impact of both the Hormuz disruptions and the end of Russian LNG imports.

Additional supplies are likely to come from the US, which already accounts for 60% of the EU’s LNG imports and puts the bloc at risk of swapping one dependency for another.