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EU Boosts Russian LNG Imports Despite Vows to Quit Moscow's Energy

EU Boosts Russian LNG Imports Despite Vows to Quit Moscow's Energy

MGR Online•International•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Despite stated intentions to reduce reliance on Russian energy, the EU significantly increased its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first quarter of 2026.

  • •The EU imported 17% more LNG from Russia's Yamal LNG project in Q1 2026 compared to the previous year.
  • •This increase occurred despite the EU's stated plan to phase out dependence on Russian energy by the end of the following year.
  • •The higher imports highlight a contradiction between the EU's policy goals and its actual energy procurement practices.
  • •Global energy markets are experiencing volatility due to conflicts in the Persian Gulf, impacting LNG prices.

Overview

  • •In Q1 2026, the EU increased LNG imports from Russia.
  • •EU LNG imports from Russia's Yamal LNG project rose by 17% year-on-year to 5 million tons in Q1 2026.
  • •The EU spent approximately €2.9 billion on these LNG imports in Q1 2026.
  • •In Q1 2026, the EU received 97% (69 out of 71) of its ordered LNG shipments from Russia, with 25 occurring in March alone.
  • •This occurred despite the EU's stated goal to gradually reduce and eventually cease reliance on Russian energy by the end of the following year.
  • •An environmental activist noted that increased imports indicate no intention by European buyers to stop purchasing Russian LNG.
  • •The EU's current energy strategy aims to end pipeline gas imports in autumn 2027 and LNG supply by the end of 2026.
  • •Global energy supply is being disrupted by conflicts and attacks in the Persian Gulf, causing LNG prices to surge.

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Key Quotes

Sebastian Rödl
"The increased imports show that European buyers are showing no signs of stopping their purchases of Russian LNG."
การนำเข้าที่เพิ่มขึ้นนั้น แสดงให้เห็นว่าพวกผู้ซื้อยุโรป ไม่มีท่าทีที่จะหยุดซื้อ LNG ของรัสเซียเลย
Viktor Orbán
"Europe is heading towards one of the worst economic crises in history."
ยุโรปกำลังมุ่งหน้าสู่วิกฤตเศรษฐกิจรุนแรงที่สุดหนหนึ่งในประวัติศาสตร์
Kirill Dmitriev
"Europe and Britain will beg for energy from Russia as the crisis deepens."
ยุโรปและอังกฤษจะอ้อนวอนของพลังงานจากรัสเซีย ในขณะที่วิกฤตหนักหน่วงขึ้น

Key Entities

Organization

EU(อียู)ℹ️
A bloc of European countries currently increasing its import of Russian LNG.
Kpler
A trusted global data intelligence and real-time commodity analytics source that provided data on EU's LNG imports.
Yamal LNGℹ️
A Russian LNG project in Siberia from which the EU has increased imports.
Urgewaldℹ️
An environmental NGO whose activist commented on the EU's increased LNG imports.
European Union(สหภาพยุโรป)ℹ️
The political and economic union of European countries, currently facing scrutiny over its increased imports of Russian LNG.

Place

Russia(รัสเซีย)ℹ️
A country increasing its LNG exports to the EU.
Hungary(ฮังการี)ℹ️
An EU member state whose Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, criticized the EU's energy policies regarding Russia.
United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️
A country involved in a conflict that is causing turmoil in energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran(อิหร่าน)ℹ️
A country involved in a conflict causing turmoil in energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz(ช่องแคบฮอร์มุซ)ℹ️
A vital waterway for oil and natural gas transport, accounting for 20% of global supply, currently experiencing turmoil due to conflicts.

Person

Sebastian Rödl(เซบาสเตียน โรเอตเตอร์ส)
An activist from the environmental NGO Urgewald who commented on the EU's increased LNG imports.
Dan Jørgensen(แดน จอร์เกนเซน)ℹ️
The European Commissioner for Energy, who emphasized the EU's commitment to not review its ban on gas imports from Russia.
Viktor Orbán(วิคตอร์ ออร์บาน)ℹ️
The Prime Minister of Hungary who warned of a severe economic crisis in Europe and called for the lifting of sanctions on Russian energy.
Kirill Dmitriev(คิริล ดมิทริเยฟ)
A Special Envoy of the Kremlin who echoed warnings of worsening crises in Europe and Britain due to their energy policies.