“On February 2, the EU published in its Official Journal the REPowerEU regulation on the gradual cessation of gas imports from Russia. This means that from February 3, 2026, it begins to operate, and the first contracts are planned to be canceled from April 25.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Illustrative photo: Getty Images Source: correspondent of “European Truth” with reference to the press service of the European Commission
Details: From February 2026, the decision on the complete refusal of the EU to import Russian gas from 2027 enters into force.
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“Regarding the REPower regulation, which was actually published today in the Official Journal, this means that it will start to be applied tomorrow,” said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokeswoman for the European Commission on Energy Affairs, in response to EuroPravda’s questions.
The regulation provides for:
- from April 25, 2026: prohibited short-term contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG);
- from June 17, 2026: short-term pipeline gas contracts are prohibited;
- from January 1, 2027: long-term LNG import contracts are prohibited;
- from September 30, 2027: prohibited import of pipeline gas under long-term contracts.
As for pipeline gas, as an exception, member states can extend this deadline until October 31, 2027, if their gas storage facilities are filled below the required level, EuroPravda was informed by the European Commission.
“Published today, the REPowerEU Gas Regulation (EU/2026/261) lays down the legal provisions to phase out natural gas imports from Russia. This historic decision, adopted at the end of last year, aims to end the EU’s dependence on Russian gas once and for all by 2027,” the European Commission said in a statement.
We will remind:
- As “Evropeyska Pravda” reported, on January 26, the EU countries finally approved a gradual plan to ban the import of Russian gas – it has to be implemented by the end of 2027.
- On January 26, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Sijarto said that Hungary intends to file a lawsuit at the Court of Justice of the European Union as soon as the decision on the REPowerEU plan is madeaimed at a complete ban on the import of Russian oil and gas into the EU, will be officially published.
- Later it became known that Slovakia will go to court after Hungarydue to the EU ban on the import of energy carriers from the Russian Federation.
Read more in the article: No chance for Russian gas: why the EU will not return to energy cooperation with the Russian Federation.