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● TRACKER Updated 5d ago · 33 sources tracked

EU imports of Russian LNG plummet, with Belgium down to zero, report says

European imports of Russian liquefied natural gas have plummeted, with Belgium's imports falling to zero. The EU's reliance on Russian gas has decreased from 45% to 12%. The US now controls nearly two-thirds of the market share, with European LNG imports totaling 21.52 million tons in Q3 2026, down 13% year-on-year.

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  • ✓ European liquefied natural gas imports dropped 13 percent year-on-year during the third quarter of 2026, totaling 21.52 million tons.
  • ✓ The United States now controls nearly two-thirds of the market share.
  • ✓ The EU's reliance on Russian gas has decreased from 45 percent to 12 percent.
  • ✓ Senior Russian political and energy officials urged the European Union to reconsider its plans to ban imports of Russian LNG.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 33 independent reporting domains (90% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Belgium's imports of Russian LNG have fallen to zero, according to recent reports.

Live updates

  1. EU imports of Russian LNG drop sharply

    European imports of Russian liquefied natural gas have plummeted, with Belgium's imports falling to zero. The EU's reliance on Russian gas has decreased from 45% to 12%. The US now controls nearly two-thirds of the market share, with European LNG imports totaling 21.52 million tons in Q3 2026, down 13% year-on-year.

    Why it matters

    The European Union aims to eliminate all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 as it manages an ongoing energy crisis and market pressure. This shift towards US suppliers is a significant transition in the bloc's energy strategy. The decline in Russian gas imports is part of a broader trend of reduced reliance on Russian energy.

    What is confirmed

    • European liquefied natural gas imports dropped 13 percent year-on-year during the third quarter of 2026, totaling 21.52 million tons.
    • The United States now controls nearly two-thirds of the market share.
    • The EU's reliance on Russian gas has decreased from 45 percent to 12 percent.
    • Senior Russian political and energy officials urged the European Union to reconsider its plans to ban imports of Russian LNG.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Russian energy officials urge Europe to reconsider ban on Russian LNG

    What to watch next

    • EU's decision on Russian LNG ban by end of 2027
    • European LNG imports data for Q4 2026
    • US and Qatar's expanded LNG exports to EU
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.bbc.co.uk — What is the EU and why isn't the UK in it? - BBC Bitesize
    2. jen.jiji.com — Formula 1, today US GP, Antonelli starts from pole for world championship match point - Live
    3. www.marketscreener.com — Russian energy officials urge Europe to reconsider ban on ...
    4. shalemag.com — Europe Gas Supply Shift 2025: U.S. and Qatar Replace Russia
    confidence 90%

  2. EU LNG Imports Fall 13 Percent in Third Quarter of 2026

    European liquefied natural gas imports dropped 13 percent year-on-year during the third quarter of 2026, totaling 21.52 million tons. The United States now controls nearly two-thirds of the market share. This decline follows a broader trend of reduced reliance on Russian gas, which previously fell from 45 percent to 12 percent. While the European Union aims to eliminate all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, the current shift shows a significant transition toward US suppliers as the bloc manages an ongoing energy crisis and market pressure.

    Why it matters

    The European Union is executing a strategic phaseout of Russian energy to end dependence following the war in Ukraine. Brussels has set a deadline of January 2027 for a full exit from Russian gas. The transition involves balancing high energy prices with the need for secure alternative supplies.

    What is confirmed

    • European liquefied natural gas imports totaled 21.52 million tons in the third quarter of 2026.
    • LNG imports to Europe fell by 13 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026.
    • The United States holds nearly two-thirds of the European LNG market share.

    What to watch next

    • European Commission reports on Russian gas import levels for Q4 2026
    • Progress of the January 2027 full phaseout deadline
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. jen.jiji.com — Russell Brand Trial, third accuser in court: "I closed my eyes and tried not to be there"
    2. jen.jiji.com — Guerrilla in Milan, today the Council of Ministers: decree expected with measures to stop the violence
    3. www.bnreport.com — Europe LNG Imports Drop 13% in Q3 2026 as US Share Surges
    4. ec.europa.eu — [nrg_ti_gasm] Natural gas imports - monthly data
    5. kyivindependent.com — Belgium - The Kyiv Independent
    confidence 100%

  3. EU Reduces Russian Gas Dependence to 12 Percent

    The European Union has reduced its dependence on Russian gas imports from 45 percent to 12 percent following the war in Ukraine, according to European Commission statements. Brussels maintains its goal to completely eliminate imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027 despite ongoing energy market pressures, high prices, and an ongoing energy crisis. France and Belgium led European buyers of Russian liquefied natural gas during the first nine months of the year, while European officials continue their course toward a full phaseout starting in January 2027.

    Why it matters

    The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed on December 2, 2025, to phase out Russian gas imports. Energy analysts and officials monitor these import metrics monthly to track the bloc's progress away from Russian fossil fuels amid broader geopolitical tensions.

    What is confirmed

    • European Union dependence on Russian gas has dropped to 12 percent from 45 percent since the war in Ukraine began.
    • Brussels intends to completely eliminate imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027.
    • The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed to phase out Russian gas imports on December 2, 2025.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Europe may miss its 2026 deadline to phase out Russian LNG.

    What to watch next

    • Monthly fossil fuel export analyses tracking the 12 percent dependency rate
    • Official policy updates regarding the target to eliminate Russian gas imports by the end of 2027
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.europesays.com — Europe May Miss Its 2026 Deadline To Phase Out Russian LNG
    2. rotimes.ro — EU cuts Russian gas imports to 12% - rotimes.ro
    3. energyandcleanair.org — September 2026 — Monthly analysis of Russian fossil fuel ...
    4. jen.jiji.com — Ex Ilva, company requests increase in temporary layoffs for another 4,172 employees: Taranto, Genoa, and Novi involved
    confidence 95%

  4. EU Cuts Russian Gas Reliance as 2027 Phaseout Looms

    European Union dependence on Russian gas has dropped to 12 percent from 45 percent since the war in Ukraine began, according to European Commission statements. Brussels intends to completely eliminate imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027 despite ongoing energy market pressures. While France and Belgium led European buyers of Russian liquefied natural gas during the first nine months of the year, European officials maintain their course toward a full phaseout starting in January 2027, even amid high prices and an ongoing energy crisis.

    Why it matters

    European Union nations have faced soaring fossil fuel costs, adding 100 billion euros without increasing overall energy supply as reliance shifts away from Moscow. Continued purchases of Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas earlier in the year drew criticism for undermining the bloc's promises to sever energy ties that fund the war in Ukraine. The European Union maintains a unified commitment to complete the phaseout by the end of 2027.

    What is confirmed

    • The European Union intends to completely phase out imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027.
    • The share of Russian fuel in EU imports has decreased from 45 percent to 12 percent since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
    • France and Belgium were the largest European buyers of Russian liquefied natural gas in the first nine months of 2026.

    Still unconfirmed

    • European Union countries paid an estimated 7.88 billion euros for liquefied natural gas from Russia's Yamal project between January and September 2026.

    What to watch next

    • Implementation of the full import ban on Russian gas scheduled for January 2027.
    • Winter heating season inventory levels and Persian Gulf export volumes.
    Sources used for this update (17)
    1. european-union.europa.eu — Your gateway to the EU, News, Highlights | European Union
    2. en.wikipedia.org — European Union - Wikipedia
    3. en.wikipedia.org — Member state of the European Union - Wikipedia
    4. commission.europa.eu — European Commission, official website - European Commission
    5. european-union.europa.eu — EU countries - European Union
    6. factsinstitute.com — EU Countries: All 27 European Union Member States
    7. de.wikipedia.org — Europäische Union – Wikipedia
    8. www.brusselstimes.com — EU fossil bill surges by €100b as gas dependence slashed to 12%
    9. www.europesays.com — France, Belgium lead European Russian LNG imports in 2026
    10. newsukraine.rbc.ua — EU to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2028, von der Leyen says
    11. ground.news — Since the Beginning of the War in Ukraine, the Share of ...
    12. www.thehindubusinessline.com — Sensex today | Stock Market Highlights: Sensex falls 252 points, Nifty slips to 22,622, as rising crude, FII selling weigh on markets
    confidence 95%

  5. EU ministers agree to end Russian gas imports by end of 2027

    European Union ministers formally agreed to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 to end energy dependence on Russia. While Belgium and France were the top importers of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first nine months of 2026, the EU is now moving toward a full phaseout starting in January 2027. This transition occurs as the market enters the winter heating season with low inventories and a global gas shortage that may persist until summer 2027 due to reduced Persian Gulf exports.

    Why it matters

    The shift began after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. Europe reduced its Russian gas import share from 45% to about 12% by 2025. To fill the gap, the EU increased reliance on Norway, the United States, Azerbaijan, and Qatar.

    What is confirmed

    • EU ministers agreed to end Russian gas imports by the end of 2027.
    • The EU plan to phase out Russian LNG begins in January 2027.
    • The REPowerEU plan was introduced in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
    • Europe reduced its Russian gas import share from 45% to about 12% by 2025.

    Still unconfirmed

    • France and Belgium were the top European importers of Russian LNG in the first nine months of 2026.
    • Global natural gas markets may remain tight until summer 2027 due to reduced exports from the Persian Gulf.
    • European gas consumption decreased by more than 19% between 2021 and 2024.

    What to watch next

    • EU gas inventory levels during the winter heating season
    • Global LNG export volumes from the Persian Gulf
    • Implementation of the January 2027 Russian LNG phaseout
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. safety4sea.com — Europe’s LNG security under pressure as supplies decline
    2. www.brusselstimes.com — EU ministers agree to end Russian gas imports by end of 2027
    3. www.europesays.com — Global gas shortage could last until summer 2027 — OilPrice
    4. www.europesays.com — Europe and Continued Pressure on Gas Supplies - EUROPE SAYS
    5. guavy.com — EU Faces Gas Supply Crunch as Russia Phaseout Looms Amid ...
    6. www.brusselstimes.com — Von der Leyen welcomes 'beginning of new era' following ...
    7. tomorrowsaffairs.com — Europe’s energy transition: an expensive change of dependence
    8. guavy.com — France Belgium lead European Russian LNG imports in 2026
    9. jarayid.com — Europe's response to Nord Stream gas loss - jarayid.com
    confidence 90%

  6. EU imports of Russian LNG drop sharply

    European Union imports of Russian liquefied natural gas have plummeted, with Belgium reporting zero imports. Despite this decline, experts suggest Russian LNG flows to Europe will persist through the end of the year. The EU aims to cut Russian gas imports by 2027 after losing 45% of supplies in 2022.

    Why it matters

    The sharp decline in EU imports of Russian LNG comes as Europe's LNG stores are depleted ahead of winter. The region has been seeking to reduce its reliance on Russian fossil fuels, but progress has been slow. The EU has spent heavily on Russian Arctic gas so far this year.

    What is confirmed

    • Europe's LNG stores are depleted ahead of winter.
    • The EU plans to cut Russian gas imports by 2027.
    • The EU lost 45% of Russian gas supplies in 2022.
    • Steady year-round Russian pipeline gas has been scarce since the war in Ukraine.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Russian LNG flows to Europe will persist through the end of the year

    What to watch next

    • EU investments in renewable power
    • December 2026 Russian gas supplies
    • 2027 EU Russian gas import targets
    Sources used for this update (3)
    1. www.japantimes.co.jp — Europe’s LNG stores depleted ahead of winter as conflicts ...
    2. www.brusselstimes.com — EU plans failing to wean countries off Russian oil and gas ...
    3. www.brusselstimes.com — EU to end Russian gas reliance by 2027, Von der Leyen tells ...
    confidence 80%

  7. EU Russian LNG Imports Drop as Belgium Hits Zero

    European Union imports of Russian liquefied natural gas have plummeted, with Belgium reporting zero imports according to a recent report. Despite this decline, experts suggest Russian LNG flows to Europe will persist through the end of the year. Financial pressures remain high, as Europe has already spent more on Russian Arctic gas in eight months than the entire 2025 bill. Meanwhile, a sanctions loophole allows a UK insurer to provide coverage for tankers transporting Russian gas.

    Why it matters

    The EU is attempting to decouple its energy infrastructure from Russian supplies to limit Moscow's revenue. Arctic gas serves as a critical financial lifeline for the Kremlin. Continued reliance on these imports highlights the difficulty of enforcing comprehensive sanctions.

    Still unconfirmed

    • EU imports of Russian LNG have plummeted, with Belgium reaching zero.
    • Europe spent more on Russian Arctic gas in eight months than the total 2025 bill.
    • Experts believe Russian LNG flows to Europe will continue until the end of the year.
    • A sanctions loophole allows a UK insurer to cover tankers carrying Russian gas.

    What to watch next

    • US House action regarding Russian Arctic gas lifelines
    • Changes to UK insurance sanctions loopholes
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. The Kyiv Independent — EU imports of Russian LNG plummet, with Belgium down to zero, report says
    2. The Hill — The House must act to cut Putin’s Arctic gas lifeline
    3. Euronews.com — Europe outspends entire 2025 Russian Arctic gas bill in just 8 months
    4. Financial Times — Sanctions loophole lets UK insurer cover tankers carrying Russian gas
    5. Montel News — Russian LNG flows to Europe to continue to year-end – experts
    confidence 60%
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