Germany Plays Key Role in Russian LNG Imports to EU Despite Sanctions

State-owned energy company Sefe continues importing Russian LNG into Europe, citing contractual obligations and lack of EU restrictions.

Germany's state-owned energy company, Sefe, imported over six times more Russian LNG in 2024 compared to 2023, according to a report by Deutsche Umwelthilfe and other organizations.
EU sanctions target Russian coal and oil, but liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains largely exempt, allowing continued imports into Europe.
Sefe receives Russian LNG at the French port of Dunkirk, with the gas entering the European network and becoming untraceable after distribution.
Between 3% and 9.2% of Germany's total gas imports in 2023 were estimated to be indirectly sourced from Russian LNG, based on flow analyses by environmental groups.
Sefe, formerly Gazprom Germania, was nationalized after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and argues that halting imports would still financially benefit Russian suppliers under existing contracts.