Russian gas and oil ban: The European Parliament approves a total ban starting in 2026.

Brussels is accelerating efforts to end its energy dependence on Moscow. Effective January 1, 2026, all Russian gas and oil imports, including LNG supplies, will be banned. Penalties will be imposed for those who circumvent the ban.

Brussels, 16 October 2025 —The European Union is taking a historic step in its energy and geopolitical policy. Industry, Research and Energy Commissions (ITRE) e International Trade (INTA) of the European Parliament have approved a Bill to gradually ban all oil and gas imports from Russia starting January 1, 2026.

The measure aims to protect the Union's strategic interests from the "instrumentalization of energy as a political weapon” by the Russian Federation — a practice that, according to Brussels, has continued in various forms since 2022, when the invasion of Ukraine led to the collapse of the European energy system and a surge in prices up to eight times pre-crisis levels.

A total ban on gas and oil: a definitive end to dependence

The new rules prohibit all Russian natural gas imports, let it be pipeline either in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The entry into force is set for on January 1, 2026, with a short transition period for some existing contracts:

• short-term ones may be honored until June 17, 2026,
• long-term contracts up to January 1, 2027,
  provided they are stipulated before 17 June 2025 e not subsequently modified.

EU energy operators will be able to invoke the “force majeure” to withdraw from contracts still in progress, as the ban will be considered a sovereign act of the Union, not attributable to the companies.

At the same time, it will also be prohibited store gas of Russian origin in European deposits, and managers will have to provide detailed evidence on the origin of the fuel to customs authorities prior to importation or storage.

Oil and derivatives in the crosshairs: total closure by 2026

In addition to gas, the Parliament proposes to extend the ban to all imports of petroleum and petroleum products derived from Russian crude oil, starting from the same date as the January 1, 2026.
Every commercial operation must be authorised in advance by customs and accompanied by a documentary verification of the actual origin of the oil.

To avoid tax evasion, the new legislation provides anti-circumvention measures against practices such as:

• il relabeling (fraudulent change of origin label);
• il transit through third countries;
• the use of “shadow fleets”, the so-called “shadow fleets” of oil tankers that hide the origin of their cargo.

To this end, they will be introduced mandatory certificates of origin for fuels transported via pipeline, quarterly audits e a European list of LNG terminals at risk managed directly by the Commission.

Strict sanctions and controls

MEPs have decided to eliminate the review clause which would have allowed the Commission to temporarily suspend the tender in the event of an energy emergency.
On the contrary, the approved text strengthens control mechanisms and introduces sanctions for violations, providing for fines and direct liability for operators who attempt to circumvent the ban.

“The vast majority of members voted for a strong position, which not only bans Russian gas and oil imports, but also closes all the loopholes in the Commission's initial proposal,”
said City Niinistö (Greens/EFA, Finland), rapporteur of the ITRE Committee.
“This is a concrete step towards European energy independence.”

“A turning point for European energy policy”

Satisfied too Inese Vaidere (EPP, Latvia), rapporteur for the Committee on International Trade:

"The almost unanimous support gives us a strong mandate for negotiations with the Council. The ban on Russian fossil fuels represents a historic achievement for the European Union and a turning point in our energy policy. We have tightened the text: it includes oil, brought forward the end of long-term contracts by one year, established sanctions for those who do not comply with the ban, and eliminated exceptions for landlocked countries."

With 83 votes in favor, 9 against, and 1 abstention, the proposal passed the committee, paving the way for the start of negotiations with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The plenary Parliament will be informed of the decision at its next session. 20 24-October.

Context: The “Energy War” and the European Strategy

The measure was created in response to the “energy war” conducted by Moscow over the last two decades, culminating in the European market manipulation in 2022.
After the invasion of Ukraine, Gazprom had drastically reduced supplies and European deposits underfilled, causing an unprecedented energy crisis and a skyrocketing price increase.

Brussels is now responding with a structural measure: permanently cut dependence on Russian energy, diversify supplies and strengthen the continent's strategic security.

The ban will be accompanied by a investment plan for the energy transition and the expansion of infrastructure for the import of LNG from other partner countries, such as Norway, the United States and Qatar.