The EU has set a record for imports of Russian LNG

Import of Russian LNG to EU in the first quarter of 2026 reached a record level since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Main buyers – France, Spain And Belgium.

European Uniondespite loud statements about breaking energy dependence on Russiain the first quarter 2026 increased imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG-LNG) to a record level since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

The crux of the matter

• In the first quarter 2026 supplies of Russian LNG V EU grew by 16% compared to the same period in 2025.
• According to IEEFARussian LNG took about 13% European liquefied gas imports in the first three months of 2026.
• The main buyers were France, Spain And Belgium; France recorded a new national record in January.
• At the same time, the EU is increasingly dependent on American LNG: 2028 The US can provide up to 80% European LNG imports.

According to European LNG Tracker Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), import of Russian LNG to Europe in the first three months 2026 reached a quarterly record. Deliveries increased by 16% in annual terms, and Russia’s share was about 13% European LNG imports.

As he writes Euroactivin the first quarter 2026 EU countries imported about 6.9 billion cubic meters Russian LNG. The main recipients were France, Spain And Belgium. At the same time France in January 2026, it set a new national record for purchases of Russian liquefied gas.

A similar picture is given by The Moscow Times: European purchases of Russian LNG have grown to their highest level since the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine. Here it is, the European energy diet: publicly refuse Russian gas, and then quietly order another portion. Very refined cuisine of the sanctions.

Who supplies gas to Europe

In the first quarter 2026 Russia retained a significant share in European gas imports. If we count all gas imports – pipeline and liquefied – its share was about 14%. For comparison: Norway provided approximately 31%A USA – near 28%.

At the same time, Europe’s dependence on American LNG is also growing. In a separate study IEEFA it is said that in 2026 The US can provide about two thirds of European LNG imports, and by 2028 – up to 80%. This is also reported Reuters.

That is, Europe is indeed moving away from one dependence, but is quite confidently moving towards another. Russian gas is being replaced by American gas, but the model itself remains the same: EU industry and energy still depend on external suppliers. It’s just that the sign on the pipe changes, but the vulnerability remains.

Why Russian LNG still buying

The main reason is simple: LNG does not disappear from the European energy sector due to a political click. EU countries have long-term contracts, reception infrastructure, terminals, the need for stable supplies and industry that needs gas here and now, and not after the next summit with beautiful statements.

Unlike pipeline gas, Russian LNG remained less strictly limited for a long time. The EU is gradually discussing a complete phase-out of Russian energy, but actual trade continues until all bans come into force and while companies use existing legal and commercial options to supply.

According to ReutersRussian export LNG increased overall in 2026, with supplies helping to smooth out tensions in the global market after disruptions caused by the war over Iran and a decline in Middle Eastern supplies. In other words, Russia’s isolation sounds good on paper until the market needs Russian gas again.

Politics versus market

The situation looks especially indicative against the backdrop of Brussels’ constant statements about the need to finally abandon Russian energy resources. Formally, the EU’s policy remains the same: reduce dependence on Russia and gradually close the import of Russian gas. But actual data shows: the market lives by its own logic, and energy security often turns out to be stronger than political rhetoric.

For Moscow this means maintaining an important source of income, albeit with changed logistics. For Europe — an unpleasant admission: a complete rejection of Russian gas turned out to be much more difficult than it looked at press conferences. Especially when at the same time dependence on American LNG is growing, and global crises – from the Middle East to Asia – continue to put pressure on energy markets.

It turns out almost a textbook of European doublethink: politically, Russian gas is declared a problem, economically it is still needed, and strategically they are trying to replace it with American gas, in order to then discuss a new dependence. Progress, of course. Just with a price tag.

Editorial comment

Record import of Russian LNG shows a simple thing: Europe can talk as much as it wants about a break with Moscow, but its energy reality is more stubborn than slogans. The EU is reducing its dependence on Russia, but is not becoming independent—it is only exchanging one major supplier for another. As a result, sanctions policy is faced with the fact that gas, industry and energy bills do not read political declarations.

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