EU Imports Soar From Russian Yamal LNG Ahead of Ban

The European Union has increased its imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia's Yamal LNG plant ahead of a full ban on Russian LNG supplies under long-term contracts that takes effect next year. According to Euronews, EU countries have paid an estimated €7.28 billion for LNG from the Arctic project between January 1 and September 5, exceeding the estimated €7.2 billion spent during all of 2025.

During the first eight months of 2026, EU ports received 156 Yamal LNG cargoes totaling 11.39 million metric tons, up from 142 cargoes carrying 10.34 million metric tons during the same period in 2025, an increase of about 10% by volume.

Global exports from Yamal LNG declined by 3.1%, with EU ports accounting for 88.9% of the project's exports during the first eight months of 2026, compared to 78.2% during the same period last year, according to data from energy analytics firm Kpler.

Charles Costerousse, an LNG analyst at Kpler, told Euronews that the figures suggest EU buyers are seeking to maximize imports before the ban on Russian LNG under long-term contracts takes effect on January 1, 2027.