Key facts
- EU imports of Russian LNG fell 46% month-on-month in August to their lowest volume since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
- Belgium imported no Russian LNG in August, down from 100% of its imports in July.
- France, Spain, and the Netherlands are the remaining EU importers of Russian LNG.
- French ports accounted for 57% of the EU's total LNG imports in August.
- TotalEnergies has an LNG import contract with Russia that will terminate at the end of 2026.
- Imports of Russian LNG into the EU will be illegal from January 2027 under the REPowerEU regulation.
European Union imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) plummeted by 46% in August, reaching their lowest monthly volume since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, according to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) think tank. Belgium eliminated its imports of Russian LNG in August, a significant shift from July when 100% of its LNG imports originated from Russia. Isaac Levi, a Europe-Russia Energy policy analyst at CREA, confirmed Belgium's zero imports for August.
France, Spain, and the Netherlands are now the primary importers of Russian LNG within the EU. French ports handled 57% of the bloc's total LNG imports in August. The energy company TotalEnergies has an existing LNG import contract with Russia that is scheduled to terminate at the end of 2026.
Under the EU's REPowerEU regulation, imports of Russian LNG will be prohibited starting January 2027. Despite the ongoing reduction in fossil fuel imports from Russia, the EU remains the largest global buyer of Russian LNG, accounting for 49% of Russia's total LNG exports in August. China was the second-largest destination, with 24% of Russia's exports. CREA interprets this concentration of buyers as an indicator of Moscow's dependence on a limited number of key customers.
The report also noted a significant drop in oil product exports from Russia, with those reported as destined for Australia falling 81% in value terms month-on-month. This comes as the Australian Senate began discussions in August to tighten its own sanctions against Russia, prioritizing measures against the import of Russian-derived oil products.