Belgium Leads EU Buyers as Russian Gas Sales Surge

Belgium has become the largest buyer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the EU, surpassing France and Hungary. According to IntelliNews, Belgium imported €268 million worth of Russian LNG in June, its highest level since July 2025.

The total value of EU purchases of Russian LNG rose by 57% year-on-year to €809 million, giving Russia a 24.1% market share in the bloc. The US held the top spot with a 54.3% market share and €1.83 billion worth of sales.

Meanwhile, EU imports of Russian pipeline gas increased by 12.5% year-on-year to €542 million in June, accounting for 24.1% of the bloc's total pipeline gas imports. Norway was the largest supplier of pipeline gas to the EU, followed by Algeria and the UK.

The figures suggest that European buyers are stockpiling Russian gas ahead of upcoming bans on short-term LNG contracts and pipeline gas imports. Hungary remains the largest buyer of pipeline gas from Russia, despite a 12.5% decline in spending year-on-year to €1.3 billion in the first half of this year.

President Vladimir Putin has threatened to withdraw Russian energy exports from Europe if the EU imposes further restrictions, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak hinted that some LNG supplies may be redirected to friendlier buyers such as China and India.