In a major move to overhaul its energy policy, the European Union has agreed to ban all imports of Russian energy, including pipeline oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) starting January 1, 2028. The EU member states have agreed to impose a complete ban on Russian energy imports. The decision came after energy ministers from nearly all EU countries voted in favour of a European Commission proposal during a meeting in Luxembourg on October 20.
EU Agrees to Ban All Russian Energy Imports by 2028
The new regulation, which covers both pipeline oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), is a key component of the EU’s REPowerEUplan aimed at eliminating dependency on Russian energy. According to a statement from the European Council, the move responds to Russia’s “weaponisation of gas supplies” and its repeated disruptions to energy flow, which have significantly impacted the European energy market.
The Council confirmed that imports of Russian gas will be prohibited from January 2026, while maintaining a transition period for existing short term contracts from June 2026 whereas long-term contracts may run until January 1, 2028. Negotiations would begin with the European Parliament to agree on the final text for the regulation.
Denmark’s Energy Minister on the Ban
Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s Energy Minister, the country that currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, called the proposal a “crucial step” toward making Europe energy independent. “Although we have worked hard and pushed to get Russian gas and oil out of Europe in recent years, we are not there yet,” Aagaard said.
“Therefore, it is crucial that the Danish Presidency has secured an overwhelming support from Europe’s energy ministers for the legislation that will definitively ban Russian gas from coming into the EU,” he added.
Why The Ban?
Notably, following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, EU leaders committed to phasing out their dependency on Russian fossil fuels “as soon as possible” in the Versailles Declaration of March 2022. As a consequence of recent tensions and policy shifts, gas and oil imports from Russia to the EU have declined significantly in recent years. It is estimated that by 2025, Russian oil imports had fallen to below 3 percent of the EU’s total, while natural gas imports still accounted for an estimated 13 percent. According to the European Council, this continued reliance on Russian gas leaves the EU vulnerable to serious risks in both trade and energy security.
Therefore, to address this strategic vulnerability, the European Commission adopted the REPowerEU roadmap in May 2025. The plan outlines the strategy for phasing out the remaining Russian energy imports and strengthening the EU’s long-term energy independence. Working on this, the Commission introduced a proposal in June 2025 calling for a gradual phase-out of Russian pipeline gas and LNG, culminating in a full ban by January 1, 2028.
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