Interfax) - The European Parliament voted on Wednesday on a bill ceasing imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia on the spot market after the regulations enter into effect in early 2026, and imports of pipeline gas will gradually end by October 30, 2027.
The bill, already coordinated with the Council of the European Union, passed by 500 votes, 120 members of the European Parliament voted against and 32 abstained.
"This is historic: the EU is taking a giant step towards a new era free of Russian gas and oil. [...] Our key priorities were to accelerate the timeline for banning pipeline gas as much as possible, prohibit long-term LNG contracts one year earlier than foreseen, and prevent circumvention of these new rules," European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy member Ville Niinisto said.
The bill establishes fines that the member states would impose on operators violating the regulations.
"During negotiations with the Danish presidency of the Council [of the EU], MEPs [members of the European Parliament] pushed for the banning all imports of Russian oil and secured a commitment by the European Commission to present legislation for this in early 2026 so an effective ban can enter into force as soon as possible and no later," the European Parliament said in a statement.
The MEPs also insisted on stricter conditions of a possible suspension of the ban on imports in emergency situations related to the EU's energy security.
"To close loopholes and mitigate the risk that the rules are being circumvented, operators will have to provide customs authorities with stricter and more detailed evidence of the country of production of their gas before its import or storage," the statement said.
Now the Council of the EU must officially approve the bill, and it will be published in the Official Journal of the EU.