Overview

• The European Commission presented a new package that would bring a complete halt to Russian liquefied natural gas imports forward to January 1, 2027, one year earlier than previously planned.
• The plan widens pressure beyond energy by targeting banks’ access to EU capital markets, cryptocurrencies, Russia’s Mir and SBP payment systems, and exports of dual‑use goods and services.
• About 118 additional tankers linked to the so‑called shadow fleet would be listed and barred from EU ports as well as European insurance, financing and services, bringing the total to more than 560 vessels.
• Most measures require unanimous approval by all 27 EU member states, while an energy import stop could be adopted by majority vote, setting up expected resistance from countries such as Hungary and Slovakia.
• EU officials acknowledged U.S. pressure, with reporting that a call between Ursula von der Leyen and President Donald Trump helped elevate the accelerated LNG cutoff, as Russian LNG sales to the EU still totaled nearly €4.5 billion in the first half of 2025 and Russia supplied about 19% of EU gas in 2024.