Overview
- EU ministers backed a permanent prohibition on purchasing all Russian gas from 2028 following Council approval of a phased wind‑down starting 1 January 2026.
- The Council position allows existing gas contracts to run until 1 January 2028 and seeks to prohibit imports of Russian oil from 1 January 2028.
- The European Commission called current energy prices unacceptably high and said it will double efforts, highlighting subsidies, tax reform, network investment and supply diversification.
- New origin‑verification rules require longer advance documentation for Russian‑origin gas during the transition period, with one month’s notice versus five days for non‑Russian supplies.
- Commissioner Marta Kos said transit to Serbia would continue, yet Council text points to a ban on transit to third countries, prompting warnings from Belgrade, which relies on its Russian contract for over 80% of gas needs, as talks continue on a 19th sanctions package expected to include an LNG import ban from early 2027 and duties on Druzhba pipeline oil.