In the first half of 2026, European countries imported a record… (газ · поставка · ямал)
In the first half of 2026, European countries imported a record volume of liquefied natural gas from Russia's 'Yamal LNG' project, purchasing almost all of the plant's output several months before an EU ban on Russian gas supplies takes effect, according to Financial Times.
Consensus
- European Union countries imported a record volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Yamal LNG project in the first half of 2026.
- The EU has implemented restrictions on short-term contracts for Russian LNG imports, effective since April 2026.
- A full ban on long-term imports of Russian LNG into the EU will take effect on January 1, 2027.
- A ban on pipeline gas imports from Russia will take effect on September 30, 2027.
- France, Belgium, and Spain are among the largest buyers of Russian LNG in Europe.
- The total volume of Russian LNG imported by the EU in January–June 2026 was approximately 9.89 million tonnes.
- The value of these imports is estimated at around €6 billion.
- European countries continue to purchase Russian energy despite official commitments to phase out such imports.
Points of divergence
- In May 2026, total Russian gas exports to the EU (pipeline and LNG) amounted to €1.5 billion, with pipeline gas at $575.4 million and LNG at nearly €925 million. — vm
- Russia became the second-largest supplier of LNG to Europe after the United States in May 2026, with a market share of 22.3%. — vesti
- The record purchases are driven by anticipation of the January 1, 2027 ban and concerns about potential attacks on the Yamal LNG facility. — tg_rybar
- The EU's import of Russian pipeline gas increased by 7% year-on-year in January–May 2026, while LNG imports rose by 11%. — thebell
- France and Belgium are among the main buyers of Yamal LNG, with Total maintaining a stake despite sanctions risks. — meduza
Coverage (8 sources)
- Gas supplies from Russia to the EU hit a record in May since early 2025 — Вечерняя Москва
- Russia becomes the second supplier of LNG to Europe after the US — Вести
- 📝EU buying gas from Yamal 📝 — Рыбарь
- EU purchased record volume of Russian 'Yamal LNG' in the first half of the year — The Bell
- EU imported record amount of gas from Yamal LNG plant in 2026 — Вести
- European countries purchase record amount of liquefied natural gas from Russian Yamal LNG plant — Meduza
- EU increased imports of Yamal LNG to a record before the ban — Коммерсантъ
- EU buys record amount of gas from Russian 'Yamal LNG' — Ведомости