Reportedly, the EU has backtracked on potential restrictions to Russian LNG to maintain leverage in trade negotiations with the U.S.
According to a Reuters report on Wednesday, EU officials have abandoned plans to include a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in its next round of sanctions against Moscow.
One official told Reuters that the decision was influenced by internal disagreement, uncertainty about replacing the supply, and the concern that a ban could weaken the EU’s negotiating position with the U.S.
The 17th sanctions package is part of the EU’s broader strategy to pressure Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict. According to an unnamed EU official who spoke with Reuters, sanctioning Russian LNG now could deprive the bloc of a crucial bargaining chip in ongoing trade talks with Washington.
The European Commission is reportedly aiming to use energy imports, including LNG, as leverage to persuade the U.S. to remove tariffs on EU goods.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently urged the EU to increase its purchases of American gas. Some EU officials view this as a chance to negotiate the removal of the 25% tariffs on EU steel and aluminum, which were reinstated in February. Enforcement of these tariffs was temporarily suspended for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.
Last week, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. officials met in Washington for preliminary discussions. The commission described the meeting as a “scoping exercise” and stated that the U.S. still needs to clarify its demands.
The idea of banning Russian LNG was previously considered during discussions on the EU’s 16th sanctions package, which was adopted in February 2025, but was dropped in January following reported opposition from member states.
Several countries, including France, Spain, and Belgium, continue to import significant amounts of Russian LNG, accounting for 85% of Europe’s Russian LNG imports, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
While pipeline gas imports from Russia have decreased since 2022, the EU’s imports of Russian LNG have risen. In 2024, Russia supplied 17.5% of the bloc’s LNG, making it the second-largest source after the U.S., which held a 45.3% share.
The European Commission is currently developing a roadmap to eliminate dependence on Russian energy by 2027, with the plan expected to be released in early May.
In February, Russia’s First Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin stated during India Energy Week in New Delhi that the country is increasing its LNG production and exports despite international sanctions. Speaking to RT, he mentioned Russia’s potential to increase LNG shipments to India, citing “competitive pricing” and emphasizing that Moscow will continue trading with its partners despite growing pressure from the U.S. and its allies.
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