EU member states agree to ban Russian natural gas imports by 2027

The EU has agreed in principle to ban Russian natural gas imports by the end of 2027. This decision aims to cut off a major funding source for Russia's war in Ukraine. A majority of EU member states supported the ban, despite opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, who are heavily reliant on Russian energy. The measure still needs negotiation with the European Parliament. The EU has been reducing its reliance on Russian hydrocarbons since 2022. Russia accounted for 19% of the EU's total gas imports in 2024, down from 45% in 2021.