European Union member states paid approximately €7.88 billion for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Arctic Yamal project between January and September 2026, according to data compiled by the German environmental campaign group Urgewald. The figures, based on market intelligence from Kpler, show that a record 12.18 million tonnes of Russian Arctic LNG reached European ports during this period, underscoring the continent's persistent reliance on Moscow's energy exports.
The purchases come despite Brussels' repeated commitments to sever energy ties with Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU introduced a ban on new Russian energy contracts at the start of 2026, with a complete prohibition on Russian LNG scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. However, existing long-term agreements continue to allow significant volumes to flow, undermining the credibility of the bloc's phase-out strategy.
Adding to the pressure, the Trump administration has enacted the Lindsey Graham Act, granting Washington the authority to sanction Russian LNG deliveries to Europe before the EU's own import ban begins. This development, coupled with record-low gas storage levels across the continent, leaves European governments increasingly exposed to decisions made in Washington, which has become the EU's primary LNG supplier.
Record imports and uneven distribution
European imports from the Yamal project rose by 9.5% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2026, with EU ports receiving 85% of Yamal's recorded deliveries. France accounted for nearly three-quarters of September's EU imports, with the Dunkirk and Montoir terminals handling 571,716 tonnes of Arctic LNG. The Netherlands imported 146,461 tonnes, while Portugal received 74,263 tonnes. Notably, no cargoes were recorded in Spain or at Belgium's Zeebrugge terminal.
The persistence of these flows highlights the difficulty of translating long-term phase-out commitments into immediate commercial breaks. A ban on imports under existing short-term contracts took effect on 25 April, yet September deliveries reached 792,440 tonnes—slightly above the level seen a year earlier. The EU's full ban on Russian LNG under eligible long-term contracts is not due to take effect until 1 January 2027.
Until then, continued purchases generate revenue for Russia's war against Ukraine and expose the limits of restrictions that target specific contracts without halting the broader trade. Sebastian Rötters, energy campaigner at Urgewald, told Euronews: "We have always assumed that the impact would not be particularly significant, since most of the export capacity is tied up in long-term contracts anyway. In addition, export volumes are generally lower in the summer due to maintenance work at the terminal and LNG shipments to Asia via the Northern Sea Route."
Rötters added that the real test for Yamal will come with the EU's phase-out starting in 2027, which may lead to noticeable reductions in exports due to increased logistical challenges.
Call to close loopholes in 22nd sanctions package
Urgewald is urging the EU to use its upcoming 22nd sanctions package to close loopholes, particularly those supporting the specialised Arc7 ice-class tanker fleet essential for transporting LNG from the Arctic. Yamal's reliance on these vessels makes its export system vulnerable to restrictions on transport and associated services. European ports are also geographically convenient, allowing tankers to unload and return to the project relatively quickly.
"The EU should not wait passively for the 2027 embargo to take effect. The next sanctions package should close the remaining loopholes, above all those that keep the indispensable Arc7 LNG tanker fleet operating. Washington, meanwhile, now has the power to sanction this trade at any time before then," reads Urgewald's statement.
However, such measures would require political coordination among EU member states and could complicate gas procurement before the import ban takes effect, particularly ahead of an unpredictable winter season. The data does not establish how much of the trade could be redirected to other buyers or what the consequences would be for European gas prices, but any additional disruption—on top of the loss of LNG from the Middle East—would have an impact.
Trump gains another lever over EU energy security
US sanctions under the Lindsey Graham Act could disrupt trade before the EU's ban on Russian LNG kicks in, forcing European governments and buyers to respond. The US administration faces an 18 October deadline for its first review under the law. However, Urgewald cautions that this deadline should not be mistaken for an automatic ban on Yamal deliveries, as the law's practical impact depends on how the administration applies its powers.
"The US President must compile a list of ships transporting Russian LNG by October 18. These ships will then be subject to sanctions unless Trump issues so-called waivers. This is possible and, given Trump's track record regarding Russia, not unlikely," Rötters told Euronews. He stressed that EU imports from Yamal will depend on the goodwill of the US President from 18 October until the final embargo takes effect in 2027.
US sanctions have already severely restricted Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project and the Northern Sea Route, while Yamal LNG continues to supply Europe. The situation underscores the broader challenges facing the EU as it seeks to reduce its energy dependence on Russia while navigating geopolitical pressures from Washington. As the bloc prepares for a potentially harsh winter, the interplay between sanctions, energy security, and transatlantic relations remains a critical concern. For more on the EU's energy challenges, see the IEEFA's warning on winter gas cuts.
