Sanctions are like a joke: Russia set a record for LNG exports to Europe in January

Russian theme liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains one of the most controversial in European energy policy. Statistics increasingly come into direct conflict with official rhetoric about “energy independence“

IN January 2026 The European Union recorded record volume of Russian LNG importscontinuing the trend that began in 2024–2025.

The main volumes of supplies come through Spain, Belgium (Zeebrugge terminal) and Francewhere the infrastructure allows the reception and redistribution of large quantities of liquefied gas.

Against the backdrop of a sharp reduction in pipeline supplies, it is the Russian LNG became one of the key sources of compensation for the resulting deficit. Unlike piped gas, it not yet subject to comprehensive sanctions EU.

Officially European Commission maintains the goal of a complete phase-out of Russian fossil energy resources by 2027. However, implementing this plan in practice turns out to be much more difficult.

The EU has already adopted regulations allowing member states to limit or prohibit Russian companies from booking capacity at LNG-terminals. However, the introduction complete ban remains a politically and economically sensitive issue.

There is an active discussion about whether abandoning the Russian LNG in 2027 by new surge in energy prices. Replacing such volumes will require concluding long-term contracts with alternative suppliers, first of all USA And Qatar.

Thus, in practice, the European strategy looks like a balancing act between declared goals and real market needs. Russian LNGdespite the sanctions background, continues to play significant role in the EU energy supply.

Reference

Import of Russian LNG to the EU: distribution and role of Greece

According to industry statistics and analysis of customs flows for January 2026the main points of receipt of Russian liquefied natural gas in the European Union are several states with developed terminal infrastructure.

1. Spain
Near 30–35% all deliveries of Russian LNG weight. The largest receiving facilities in Europe, a significant part of the volumes is used for re-export.

2. France
Approximately 20–25%. Supplies through Atlantic terminals, part of the gas is redistributed on the EU internal market.

3. Belgium (Zeebrugge terminal)
Near 15–20%. One of the key gas hubs in Europe, through which significant volumes pass in transit.

4. Netherlands
About 10–12%. LNG used to balance the North-West European market and spot transactions.

5. Greece
Greece is not among the largest importers of Russian LNGhowever plays a prominent role in regional gas logistics.

The main reception point is the terminal Revituswhich serves both the domestic market and supplies to the countries of South-Eastern Europe. IN 2024–2026 share of Russian LNG in Greek imports, according to analysts, fluctuated within 3–7%depending on market conditions.

Deliveries to Greece are carried out mainly through spot deals and traders, without direct long-term contracts with Russian companies. This means that in official statistics such volumes are often reported as unidentified or mixed batches of LNG.

Functionally, Greece acts not so much as an end consumer, but as a transit and distribution hubwhich reduces its formal share in reporting, but increases its importance in the regional energy architecture.

Note: In EU statistics, the importer most often indicates the receiving country or terminal, rather than the final consumer of the gas. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the actual consumption of Russian LNG at the national level.

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