Overview
- CREA estimates show Hungary, Slovakia, France, Belgium and Romania paid Russia €938 million in October for oil, pipeline gas and LNG, with roughly two thirds of the value in natural gas.
- Hungary led October purchases at €258 million and continued as a leading buyer of Russian pipeline gas under the EU’s carve‑out for the Druzhba pipeline’s southern branch.
- Eurostat-based analysis indicates Russia was the EU’s second‑largest gas supplier in September, exporting €829.7 million worth of gas as pipeline volumes fell and LNG held steadier.
- Import patterns shifted in September with Hungary as the top buyer, the Netherlands nearly tripling purchases to €99.3 million, France reducing volumes, and Belgium’s intake dropping sharply.
- The U.S. Treasury issued a license allowing transactions tied to Lukoil’s international business sale through December 13 after Gunvor said it withdrew a purchase offer due to not obtaining the required authorization, as U.S. officials also pressed European counterparts to curb Russian gas, according to the Financial Times.