In the first half of 2025, European Union countries significantly increased their imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Russian Federation. During this period, the total amount of purchases reached €4.48 billion, which is €1 billion higher than the figures for the same period last year, when gas worth €3.47 billion was imported. Overall, in six months, the EU purchased LNG worth €26.9 billion, of which more than half—€13.7 billion—was supplied by the United States of America.
This is reported by Finway
Sanctions Bypass Maritime LNG Imports
Despite the sanctions against Russian gas, they only apply to pipeline supplies. At the same time, exceptions have been made for Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to receive gas via the “Turkish Stream.” Currently, there are no bans on the import of liquefied gas from Russia to the EU, allowing member countries to continue purchasing this fuel by sea.
China Activates Purchases of Russian Oil
Amid changes in the global energy landscape, Chinese oil refineries have significantly increased their purchases of Russian oil, taking advantage of the falling prices for barrels that India has turned away from due to increased trade tariffs from the United States. Traditionally, Beijing imports oil from the Far East; however, in August 2025, supplies of Urals crude oil, shipped from Baltic and Black Sea ports, reached nearly 75,000 barrels per day. This figure is double the average volume since the beginning of the year.
At the same time, the volume of Russian oil exports to India has significantly decreased and currently stands at just over 400,000 barrels per day, which is considerably less compared to the average of 1.18 million barrels this year.
“In August, supplies of Urals crude oil, shipped from the ports of the Baltic and Black Seas, amounted to nearly 75,000 barrels per day. This is almost 100% higher than the average figure since the beginning of the year.”