EU Countries Boost Russian Gas Purchases Despite Phase-Out Plans

European Union countries are increasing their purchases of Russian gas despite plans to phase it out by next year, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The organization estimates that Russia's revenue from energy exports to Europe has risen to €60 million a day. A significant share of Russian liquefied natural gas is being shipped to France.

In June, EU member states imported 14% more LNG from Russia than a year earlier. CREA data shows that France purchased the largest share of Russian LNG, with the port of Montoir in Brittany receiving four times as much in June as it did in May.

Russian gas now accounts for up to 13% of the European Union's total gas imports, according to Bruegel think tank data. This comes despite stated plans to phase out Russian gas by next year.