The European Commission aims to bring forward by one year a ban on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia into the European Union.

The commission stated that the ban is to commence early in 2027 as part of the bloc’s 19th package of sanctions against Russia.

“Europe is increasing its pressure,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

“Russia’s war economy is sustained by the revenues from fossil fuels. We want to cut these revenues. We are banning imports of Russian energy into European markets. It is time to turn off the tap,” she said.

The EU was ready for the ban, thanks to efforts to save energy, diversify supply, and invest in low-carbon sources of energy, the commission president said.

Friday’s announcement came days after Ms von der Leyen said she aims to achieve a faster halt to European fossil fuel imports from Russia following a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has imposed extensive import restrictions on Russian coal and oil.

There have, however, been no gas sanctions in place so far.

According to EU figures, the bloc imported LNG from Russia worth almost €4.5 billion ($5.3 billion) in the first half of 2025.

In 2024, Moscow’s gas deliveries still accounted for around a fifth of all gas imports; more than half of these imports came in the form of LNG.

The proposal for the new sanctions package also includes further punitive measures in the financial sector and additional trade restrictions, Ms von der Leyen said.

The bloc’s 27 member countries must unanimously back the new package before it can enter into force.

(dpa/NAN)