Brussels – The European Union has officially announced a comprehensive ban on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. This is the latest measure aimed at reducing the continent’s dependence on Russian energy sources, amid ongoing tensions between the two sides over the war in Ukraine.
A statement issued by the European Commission explained that the decision is part of a new package of sanctions. These sanctions aim to “dry up the funding sources Moscow relies on to support its military operations.” The statement indicated that the EU is also seeking to promote energy alternatives from other sources, primarily the United States, Norway, and North African countries.
The Commission confirmed that the ban not only includes the signing of new contracts, but also extends to preventing Russian gas tankers from entering EU ports. This comes as part of the “phasing out of Russian energy” policy, which began in 2022.
Observers see the move as a new economic escalation by Brussels. It is likely to increase tensions with Moscow, which previously warned that such decisions would have “counterproductive consequences” for European energy security, given the continued rise in global gas prices.
