Overview

• EU energy ministers in Luxembourg approved a majority-backed position to prohibit Russian natural gas imports from the end of 2027.
• The Council text would block new Russian gas contracts from January 2026, end short-term contracts in June 2026, and phase out long-term deals by January 2028.
• European Parliament industry and trade committees have endorsed a stricter plan to stop most Russian gas imports from January 1, 2026, with limited exceptions.
• Slovakia and Hungary voted against the measure, and the draft includes tailored flexibilities for landlocked member states.
• The decision now moves to negotiations with the European Parliament, and Denmark, holding the rotating presidency, seeks final approval before 2026.