Europe Paid Up to €6 Billion for Russian Gas — Who Bought the Most?.

Europe-Russia Energy Ties Under Scrutiny

According to Espreso.tv: European nations may have spent as much as €6 billion on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. This spending highlights the continent's continued reliance on Russian energy despite geopolitical tensions. The top three buyers were:

• France, which imported 3.6 million tons;
• Belgium, with 2.9 million tons;
• Spain, with 2.7 million tons.

The Yamal LNG project, launched in 2017, has a design capacity of 17.4 million tons per year. However, due to sanctions and shifting import regulations, its shipments to Asia have plummeted by 74%, totaling just over 510,000 tons.

Future of Gas Imports

A key development occurred on December 3, 2025, when a preliminary agreement was reached to fully halt Russian natural gas imports by 2027. This means a complete ban on LNG imports under long-term contracts will take effect on January 1, 2027. According to Patrick Pouyanné,

“the company may be forced to completely stop exporting gas from Yamal.”

Sebastian Retters described the economic figures tied to Russian gas imports as 'staggering.' The European gas market remains under significant strain, and changes in import policy could profoundly impact the region's energy security.

These events underscore the mounting tension in energy relations between Europe and Russia, especially amid global political shifts and sanctions. Moving away from Russian gas could become a cornerstone of the EU's strategy for energy independence and the transition to renewable sources. This process will require adapting energy infrastructure and cultivating new suppliers to ensure stable energy deliveries in the future.