• The EU has agreed to completely ban Russian gas imports by autumn 2027.
• Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen highlighted the move as a step towards energy security and independence.
• The agreement includes legal provisions for companies to break existing contracts with Russian suppliers.
• Hungary and Slovakia were given extended timelines to phase out Russian energy reliance.
• Current estimates show Russia still provides a significant portion of EU LNG imports.

The European Union has reached a significant agreement to phase out all imports of Russian gas by **autumn 2027**, a move aimed at diminishing financial resources for Moscow amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This decision follows prolonged negotiations between key EU institutions and reflects a compromise on the timeline, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to be halted by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by November 2027. The shift marks a critical step for the EU as it strives to cut its energy dependence after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which drastically altered European energy markets, according to Reuters, India Times, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen celebrated this agreement as a pivotal moment for European energy security, stating, "We've chosen energy security and independence for Europe. No more blackmail. No more market manipulation by Putin.” The provisional agreement also provides for the cessation of new long-term contracts for pipeline gas by **September 30, 2027**, and long-term LNG contracts by **January 1, 2027**, reinforcing the EU's commitment to moving away from Russian energy sources, according to Reuters, India Times, and Al Jazeera.

As part of the deal, **companies will be able to invoke "force majeure"** to exit existing contracts with Russian suppliers legally. This clause is designed to facilitate a smoother transition away from reliance on Russian gas. Notably, Hungary and Slovakia were given longer timelines for phasing out Russian energy due to their closer ties to Moscow and substantial energy reliance, a factor complicating collective EU actions, as explained by India Times, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.

Currently, Russian gas still accounts for **19%** of the EU’s gas imports, down from **45%** before the invasion, demonstrating the significant progress made thus far. Despite this reduction, Russia remains a substantial LNG supplier, providing about **20%** of imports in 2024 as countries work to secure alternative energy sources and increase local production capabilities, according to Reuters, India Times, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.