Europe News: Russian gas imports rise despite EU phase-out

Russian gas imports into the European Union have risen in early 2026, creating a striking contradiction at the heart of Europe news: the bloc has formally launched its phase-out of Russian gas, yet more of that fuel is still entering the market. The increase does not necessarily mean Brussels is abandoning its energy strategy, but it does show how difficult it is to unwind long-standing supply chains while keeping homes heated, factories running and prices under control.

A new monitoring report from the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) found that pipeline gas imports from Russia were up 7% year-on-year, while Russian LNG imports rose 11% compared with the same period in 2025. After the new EU law took effect in March 2026, LNG volumes climbed even faster, posting a 17% increase against a year earlier.

Europe news: Why Russian gas imports are rising now

The latest Europe news on energy points to timing rather than policy reversal. ACER says companies are accelerating deliveries under contracts that were signed before the EU tightened the rules. Since March 2026, new Russian gas contracts have effectively been barred, but many long-term agreements are still being phased out gradually through 2027.

That means importers appear to be using what remains legally available before the stricter deadlines arrive. ACER estimates that authorised LNG contracts still cover roughly 20 to 32 billion cubic metres, entering mainly through Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Pipeline supplies remain concentrated in Hungary, Slovakia and Greece.

• LNG entry points: Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands
• Pipeline-dependent states: Hungary, Slovakia and Greece
• Key deadlines: Russian LNG ban from January 2027 and pipeline phase-out by September 2027

This is a major development in irish news and wider EU coverage because energy costs across Europe can quickly influence inflation, household bills and business confidence in Ireland as well.

Not a sanctions collapse, regulators insist

According to ACER, this spike should not be read as proof that EU sanctions are failing. Instead, the agency links the increase to market behaviour during a period of global supply uncertainty. Disruptions tied to conflict involving Israel, the US and Iran have affected broader LNG trade routes, prompting European buyers to lean on available contracted supply.

Another factor is the ban on transhipments of Russian LNG through EU ports to other destinations. Some cargoes that might previously have passed through Europe on the way elsewhere may now be staying within the EU market instead. In practical terms, that can inflate import figures even while the long-term policy direction remains unchanged.

Market analysts have broadly backed that interpretation. Russian LNG imports into the EU reportedly hit record levels in April and May, but there are also signs that pipeline volumes began softening in June, partly due to maintenance and partly due to the tightening rules on short-term contracts.

What the numbers really suggest

For readers following Europe news, the message is nuanced:

1. The EU is still reducing its structural reliance on Russian gas.
2. Short-term import spikes can happen during a managed phase-out.
3. The real stress test will come when final bans start biting in 2027.

Where Europe remains most exposed

One of the most important angles in this Europe news story is that dependency is no longer spread evenly across the bloc. Russian gas now accounts for about 12% of total EU gas demand, far below pre-war levels, but several countries remain heavily exposed.

Hungary and Slovakia still rely on Russia for an estimated 70% to 80% of their gas, while Greece gets roughly half of its gas imports from Russian sources. These countries continue receiving pipeline supplies mainly through the TurkStream route and face the toughest challenge in switching to alternatives before the final cut-off dates.

That matters for ireland news readers because energy security in one part of Europe can affect prices and market stability across the entire EU. Even countries with limited direct exposure can feel the consequences through wholesale gas markets and electricity costs.

Diversification has helped, but new risks are emerging

ACER says the EU is much better prepared than it was during the 2022 energy crisis. The bloc has diversified supply, expanded LNG imports and opened up alternative routes. But this progress has created fresh dependencies on suppliers such as the United States, Algeria, Qatar, Romania and Azerbaijan.

Those alternatives are not risk-free. Production issues, geopolitical tensions and regulatory disputes could all complicate the shift. One growing flashpoint is the EU’s methane emissions rules, which some major suppliers oppose. Washington has warned that strict implementation could discourage US energy flows to Europe, adding another layer of uncertainty to future supply planning.

So while the headline in Europe news is about Russian gas imports rising, the deeper issue is whether Europe can complete its energy transition without replacing one strategic vulnerability with another.

What happens next

The biggest milestones are still ahead. The EU plans a full ban on Russian LNG imports from January 2027, followed by the end of pipeline imports by September 2027, with limited exceptions built into the transition. Until then, temporary fluctuations in import levels are likely.

The central question is no longer whether Europe wants to quit Russian gas. It is whether infrastructure, contracts and alternative suppliers will be ready in time. That makes this one of the most consequential Europe news stories of 2026, with direct relevance for markets, policymakers and consumers across the continent.

In short, the recent rise in Russian gas imports does not cancel the EU phase-out plan, but it does reveal how messy and economically sensitive the transition will be. For anyone tracking Europe news, ireland news and irish news, the takeaway is clear: Europe is moving away from Russian energy, but the hardest part of that journey may still be ahead.

Article/Image Courtesy: Euronews