The European Union significantly increased its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Russian “Yamal LNG” project in Siberia during the first quarter of 2026. According to research company Kpler, supplies from “Yamal” reached 5 million tons, which is 17% higher compared to the same period in 2025. Estimates from the organization Urgewald indicate that EU member countries spent around 2.88 billion euros on purchasing this gas.
This is reported by Finway
Significant Share of Russian LNG Comes from Yamal
The majority of Russian LNG entering the EU is imported from the “Yamal” project. In the first three months of the year, “Yamal” accounted for between 69% and 97% of 71 shipments, with 25 cargoes received in March, surpassing the figures from January and February. In comparison, during the same period last year, “Yamal” represented 87% of 68 shipments, while the remainder was sent to Asian countries.
In 2026, supplies of Russian LNG to Asia significantly decreased. This is partly due to the EU’s ban on transshipment of Russian LNG between vessels and docking of ships in European ports before further deliveries to third countries. Additionally, demand for Russian gas in Asia remained low until the onset of the Iranian crisis.
Rising Costs and Gas Prices in Europe
Despite sanctions and planned restrictions, the EU continues to be a key buyer of Russian LNG. In March 2026 alone, 1.8 million tons of gas from “Yamal” were delivered to the EU. Urgewald activist Sebastian Retters emphasized:
“European buyers have no intention of stopping their purchases of Russian LNG.”
The increase in EU spending on Russian LNG imports occurred against the backdrop of a significant rise in gas prices. In March, the average price in European markets reached 52.87 euros per megawatt-hour, which is considerably higher than the prices in January and February (35 euros/MWh).
Official statistics from the European Commission for 2026 indicate that over two-thirds of all imported LNG to the EU comes from the United States, highlighting a record dependence on American supplies.
Brussels is currently not considering revising the planned ban on imports of Russian LNG, which is set to take effect in January 2027. A ban on imports under short-term contracts is already in place.
European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen emphasized last month the importance of the upcoming ban, noting that repeating past experiences of dependence on Russian energy resources would be a mistake. At the same time, experts point out that after the full ban comes into effect, “Yamal” may face difficulties in finding alternative buyers.
The ongoing war in Iran is providing Russia with additional revenues not only from rising oil prices but also from the increased costs of other raw materials: gas, grain, aluminum, and fertilizers.