EU purchased record volumes of Russian LNG worth EUR 7.88 billion in the first nine months of 2026

In the first nine months of 2026, European Union countries purchased record volumes of Russian liquefied natural gas totaling EUR 7.88 billion.

This was reported by Euronews.

In absolute terms, purchases amounted to 12.14 million tonnes — 9.5% more than in the same period a year earlier. France, the Netherlands, and Portugal were the top buyers of Russian LNG among EU member states.

At the same time, a full ban on imports of Russian LNG into the European Union is set to take effect on January 1 of next year.

Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Europe was uncompetitive due to high energy prices.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers, on the eve of the heating season, authorized the export of gas from Ukraine. All producers will be permitted to export gas — both NAK Naftogaz and private companies — up to 15% of their own output from the previous month. Last year, approximately 18 billion cubic meters of gas were produced in Ukraine; 15% of that volume amounts to 2.7 billion cubic meters.