The European Union imported a record 9.97 million metric tons of Russian liquefied natural gas in the first half of 2026, valued at approximately €5.96 billion, according to OilPrice and Kpler data. The figure represents a 16% increase from the same period in 2025, as European buyers sought to secure Russian LNG supplies ahead of forthcoming import restrictions scheduled for 2027. The surge underscores the ongoing challenge the EU faces in reducing its energy dependence on Russia despite years of policy efforts to diversify fuel sources.
According to Kpler tracking data, European purchasers absorbed more than 97% of output from Russia's Yamal LNG facility during the first half of the year, demonstrating the facility's continued critical role in meeting continental energy demand. The volume of imports reflects a stark contradiction between EU policy objectives and market realities, as member states prioritize near-term energy security and cost considerations over long-term strategic autonomy from Russian energy supplies.
The record import levels come as the bloc prepares to implement phase-out regulations designed to gradually eliminate Russian LNG from European markets. The timing of the surge suggests that buyers are attempting to capitalize on the window before restrictions take effect, raising questions about the effectiveness of the EU's broader decarbonization and energy independence agenda amid geopolitical tensions and market dynamics.