EU Spent €7.2 Billion On Russian LNG in 2025, Maximizing Imports Before 2027 Ban Europe keeps buying Russian fuel without any noticeable slowdown with less than 12 months remaining before an EU ban on the import of Russian LNG takes effect. Highlighting the ineffectiveness of existing EU half-measures, including the transshipment ban, Belgium more than doubled its imports from Yamal LNG in 2025, simply keeping LNG once the re-export ban took effect.
EU Supports Laid-Off Northvolt Workers With EUR 8.5 Million The EU and Swedish authorities will provide financial aid to laid-off Northvolt workers in Sweden following the battery manufacturer's bankruptcy.
Norway, European Defence, and The Future of The Nordic Welfare Model Norway, European defence, and the Future of the Nordic welfare model - What the European Banking Federation report reveals about Europe’s most crucial non EU defence partner.
EU Parliament Charts New Arctic Course, With Norway and Other Arctic Partners at the Center The Parliament of the European Union adopted a new Arctic resolution warning of military buildup and highlighting the need for cooperation with Nordic partners, including Norway, to ready itself for the coming geopolitical competition. The measures passed with a broad majority of 510 votes for, 75 against, and 80 abstentions.
We Went to Greenland When the Noise Had Quieted Down Dear reader. International media have been quiet about Greenland ever since the journalists, who were led in droves by Donald Trump, went back home. We went to Greenland to gauge the mood after the noise had quieted down.
EU Talks Tough on Russian LNG, But Buys More Than Ever in 2025 The EU energy double standard continues. Just days after agreeing to stop buying Russian LNG by 2027 new data show that the bloc is importing record-levels of the fuel in 2025, up 7 percent over the same period in 2024. During the first six months of 2025 member states spent €4.5 billion on supercooled gas from Russia.
EU President Von Der Leyen: "Arctic At Center of European Security and Independence" European Commission President von der Leyen squarely moved the Arctic to the heart of European security during a speech in Stockholm. “As the ice retreats, the Arctic is moving ever closer to the centre of global geopolitics,” she said. Von der Leyen called for greater investments in the region and announced work on a revised EU Arctic policy.
EU Includes Russian LNG in 19th Sanctions Package; U.S. Focuses on Oil Sector Targets Rosneft and Lukoil In a one-two punch new U.S. and EU sanctions target the Russian energy sector, including oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, and the country’s LNG sector. After years of debate the EU has agreed on banning imports of Russian LNG by January 1, 2027; a significant escalation of the bloc’s sanctions regime.
Major Ferrosilicon Producer Curtails Production in Northern Norway Elkem is reducing the production of ferrosilicon at one of its North Norwegian factories due to challenging market conditions. The EU's potential safeguard measures on imports of ferroalloys have further increased uncertainty, the company writes.
EU Council Agrees on Framework for Phaseout of Russian LNG by 2028 The European Union continues to inch toward a full ban of Russian gas. On Monday the Council of the EU agreed on the framework for the draft legislation which will now be further negotiated with the Parliament and Commission. The regulation proposes a ban by January 1, 2028. It does not mention an accelerated timeline proposed by the Commission earlier this summer.
EU Imports of Russian Gas Grow Again, Including LNG, Contrasting with Brussels Latest Efforts to Phase Out Supplies European Union countries spent 30 percent more on Russian gas during the first half of 2025 than in 2024. The new figures highlight the bloc’s difficulty to fully wean itself off the supplies as the European Commission aims to accelerate the phase-out of Russian gas.
“Time to Turn off the Tap” on Russian LNG Says EU After Trump Pressure Trump's comments trigger renewed efforts by Brussels to phase out Russian liquefied natural gas imports. EU officials now indicate their goal is to ban the supercooled gas by January 2027, a full year ahead of a previously proposed timeline. It is unclear if the Trump Administration will also reengage in sanctioning the Russian LNG sector, it has given a pass to Chinese buyers in recent weeks.
EU Proposes Phase-Out Of Russian Gas by 2027, Currently Spends €1.5bn Each Month on Imports The European Commission announced the details for its proposed ban of Russian gas and oil. Short-term and new contracts could come to an end in 2026, but the bulk of imports under long-term agreements would continue for another 2.5 years, potentially sending another €30-40 billion to Russia.
Deliveries of Russian LNG from Yamal Hold Steady, EU Transshipment Ban Showing Little Effect Following the EU’s transshipment ban on Russian LNG it remains business as usual for Novatek’s Yamal project. New data show that it shipped out 120 loads of supercooled gas thus far this year – just three less than last year.
EU Proposes Russian Gas Ban for 2027 But Imports on the Rise Again, Norway Remains Top Supplier After years of debate the European Commission aims to ban Russian gas by the end of 2027. How the proposal will be received across EU capitals remains to be seen, especially in light of recently rising gas imports from Russia. Meanwhile Norway solidly remains the largest supplier providing nearly one-third of EU gas.
Russia’s Arctic ‘Yamal LNG’ Gas Plant Saw a Record 287 Cargo Loadings in 2024 While Western sanctions have impeded or complicated much of Russia’s energy economy, the Yamal LNG plant continues to export liquefied gas like clockwork. Every month around 25 vessels load cargo at the Sabetta terminal, for a total of 287 deliveries in 2024, new data by Center for High North Logistics show.
EU Imports of Russian LNG Decrease by One-Third During Month of April For the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine EU imports of Russian liquefied natural gas have recorded a significant drop. Figures for April indicate a 35 percent reduction in deliveries in comparison to the same period last year. But it remains unclear if the reduction is just a temporary decline or the beginnings of a shift away from supercooled gas from Russia.
China Looking to Buy More Russian Arctic LNG as EU Aims to Announce Plans in May to Phase Out Imports As the EU is gearing up to publish its roadmap to phase out Russian LNG, China’s appetite for deliveries of supercooled gas from the Arctic could see a rise in the coming months. Whether China will also welcome cargoes from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project remains a key question.
EU Paid Near 300% More for Russian LNG in 2024 Compared to Early 2021 Not only is the EU importing record levels of LNG from Russia, it is also paying a substantially higher price than before the Ukraine War, new Eurostat data reveal. At the end of 2024 the cost was nearly four times as high as at the beginning of 2021.
EU Countries Spent Close to €7bn on Russian LNG in 2024 Europe cannot shake its addiction to Russian liquefied natural gas. Throughout 2024 EU members purchased liquefied gas from Russia worth almost €7bn. Some member states continue to spend more on their purchases of Russian LNG than they provide in military aid to Ukraine.
Finland Strengthens Cybersecurity in the North With Extensive Exercising Finland is enhancing cybersecurity competence in its northern region. Municipalities and critical infrastructure operators recently participated in a cyber exercise under state auspices. "We gained experience in dealing with many kinds of threats," says Rovaniemi’s Chief Information Officer.
EU Fails to Act on Russian LNG As Some Member States Discuss Restart of Gas Imports After War Russian liquefied natural gas receives a pass in the latest round of EU sanctions. The European Commission will not be including new significant measures against the supercooled gas from Russia. The bloc imported record amounts from Russia in 2024.
Germany Can’t Shake Russian Gas: LNG Purchases from Arctic Yamal Project Skyrocket Germany joined France, Belgium, and Spain as key importers of Russian LNG in 2024, a new study reveals. German energy company SEFE, federally-owned by the government, imported 58 shipments from Yamal LNG into the EU port of Dunkirk, a 650 percent increase over 2023. Some of this Russian LNG finds its way into Germany counter to its government’s assurances that it does not import Russian gas.
Novatek Executive Traveling to Brussels to Soften EU Stance on Russian LNG, Sources Say A senior Novatek executive is reportedly traveling to Brussels in an attempt to moderate Europe’s position on Russian liquefied natural gas. The EU remains a key destination for Russian LNG, but an increasing number of member states are working towards a ban.
Ten EU Member States Urge Ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas Ramping Up Pressure on Yamal LNG A coalition of ten EU member states is urging Brussels to take steps to ban or at a minimum begin phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas imports. Pressure on Russian oil and gas is at an all time high following U.S. sanctions against dozens of Arctic tankers and two LNG plants.
Ten EU Member States Urge Ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas Ramping Up Pressure on Yamal LNG A coalition of ten EU member states is urging Brussels to take steps to ban or at a minimum begin phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas imports. Pressure on Russian oil and gas is at an all time high following U.S. sanctions against dozens of Arctic tankers and two LNG plants.
EU Imports More Russian LNG in 2024 Than Ever Before, Mostly From Arctic While the EU’s imports of liquefied natural gas from around the world decreased by 20 percent, deliveries from Russia set a new record in 2024. An increasing amount of Russian LNG is now sold on the spot market. Traders prefer cheaper Russian LNG rather than buying from the U.S. or elsewhere.
EU Importers Preparing to Implement March 2025 Transshipment Ban for Russian LNG With the EU’s sanctions on the transfer of Russian LNG just three months away operators in France and Belgium are putting in place procedures to now longer conduct transshipments. The upcoming ban affects around 20 percent of Russian LNG from the Arctic.
Australian Owner Sells Graphite Producer in Northern Norway Through its Norway-based subsidiary, Norge Mineraler, the UK-registered Norge Mining has entered into an agreement to acquire Skaland Graphite.
Finland to Organize EU Leaders Summit in Lapland “Europe has to take greater responsibility for its own security," says Finland's PM Petteri Orpo. This weekend, he will host minister colleagues from EU countries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in Northern Finland, near the border with Russia.
EU Efforts to Reduce Russian LNG Ring Hollow as Imports Reach New High The EU and its member states remain unable to control the inflow of Russian liquefied natural gas. Despite voluntary measures and repeated discussions in Brussels, imports have now reached new record highs. The upcoming transshipment ban in March 2025 could inadvertently further increase imports.
Belgium Pushes For Creation of EU-Wide Tracking System for Russian LNG EU member state officials continue discussions on how best to curb the inflow of Russian liquefied natural gas. Now Belgium has proposed an LNG tracker to ensure that existing and upcoming sanctions are effectively implemented.
Russia Still Second Largest Gas Provider to EU, After Norway, with LNG Imports Increasing Despite the EU’s efforts to phase out imports of Russian LNG, the super-chilled gas from the Arctic continues to flow unabated into the continent. Imports have increased by 11 percent during the first half of 2024 new data show, with Russia now the second-largest supplier.
The End of an Era for Director Frode Mellemvik at the High North Center This month, Frode Mellemvik (70) steps down as Director of the High North Center after 17 years. The search has now begun for someone to take the wheel. His time at the center has offered many opportunities but also demanding developments, says Mellemvik.
Critical Metals Corp. to Aquire Controlling Stake in Large Rare Earth Project in Greenland Mining company Critical Metals Corporation signs agreement to aquire controlling interest in the Tanbreez Rare Earth Mine, one of the world's largest known rare earth deposits.
Upcoming EU Sanctions Look Set To Block Transshipment of Russian LNG, But Allow Imports The EU looks set to target existing Russian production of liquefied natural gas for the first time as part of the upcoming 14th sanction package. While previous sanctions focused on inhibiting future LNG projects, attention could now begin to shift to already producing facilities.
Germany Supports Swedish Push for EU Ban of Russian LNG Just days after Swedish calls to sanction imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, German government officials confirmed their support for an EU-wide ban. The measures could be included in the upcoming 14th sanctions package, but are likely to face resistance from major Russian LNG importing countries such as Spain, Belgium and France.
Sweden Calls for Ban of Russian LNG Ahead of EU Meeting The EU continues to inch toward a comprehensive ban of Russian liquefied natural gas. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom confirmed the need to include LNG in the upcoming 14th sanctions package against Russia.
The EU Enters Into New Era of Cooperation With the Faroe Islands and Greenland The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, recently visited the Faroe Islands and Greenland to form closer ties between the union and the countries' self-government authorities. Several agreements were signed, and von der Leyen officially opened the EU's new office in Nuuk.
EU Countries Divided on How to Phase out Russian Arctic LNG A month before the EU Parliament is expected to vote on a directive to give states a tool to block the flow of Russian liquefied gas, some member states are voicing concern that the proposed measures are insufficient to undo long-term contracts. Without a unified approach the flow of Russian LNG could simply be diverted to neighboring countries, Spanish officials warn.
Spain and Belgium Buy Russian Arctic Gas at Record Rate, Officials Unsure How to Stop Imports European countries continue to buy more than half of Russia’s gas production. Throughout 2023 Spain emerged as a major importer surpassing previous record buyers France and Belgium, without concerted European effort to reduce import volumes. Norway also continues to expand its LNG portfolio, including to destinations outside the EU.
EU Supports Iron Ore Line Projects: Important Upgrades For Civilian and Military Use The European Commission supports several Swedish transport projects, including the Iron Ore Line, with EUR 54 million. The purpose is to upgrade critical transport infrastructure in the EU, which is considered to be of great use for both civilian and defence purposes.
New EU Legislation to Make Opening Mines in Europe Easier The European Parliament recently gave the green light for new plans to secure the EU's supply of critical raw materials, essential in cellphones, electric cars, and solar panels, among other things. These are positive news for the mining company LKAB, which made major discoveries of mineral resources in Northern Sweden.
European Capital of Culture: Arctic Threads Through Bodø2024 In February, the European Capital of Culture year opens in Bodø and Nordland with grand festivities. Throughout the year, the program for Bodø2024 offers experiences that reflect nature, culture, and society in the Arctic region and Sápmi.
European Capital of Culture: Arctic Threads Through Bodø2024 In February, the European Capital of Culture year opens in Bodø and Nordland with grand festivities. Throughout the year, the program for Bodø2024 offers experiences that reflect nature, culture, and society in the Arctic region and Sápmi.
EU Countries Continue to Import $1bn of Russian Arctic LNG Every Month Almost two years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European countries continue to import Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas at record levels. A new report details how LNG now constitutes the primary Russian fossil fuel purchased by the EU, sending more than $1bn per month to the country.
When the Young Are Excluded Commentary: Our age decides our influence on policy-making. In Norway, we are nearing retirement before we are heard in crucial matters. That could be fatal for the nation.
“EU Will Discuss Matters That Concerns Norway in Arenas We Are Not Invited” Arendal (High North News): With Sweden and Finland in NATO, Norway and Iceland will be the only two of the five Nordic NATO countries not to be EU members as well. "This may have consequences for Norway that we have not taken into account," believes Ine Eriksen Søreide, Leader of the Norwegian Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
