It comes just after the blocs energy commissioner ruled out lifting restrictions aimed at ending energy imports from Moscow by the Autumn 2027

The EU has sharply increased its purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first quarter of 2026 even as it insists it will phase out Russian energy by the end of next year, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

According to Kpler data cited by the outlet, the EU's imports from Russia's Yamal LNG project in Siberia rose 17% year-on-year to 5 million tons in Q1, with the bloc spending an estimated €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion). The EU took 69 of 71 shipments - or 97% - including 25 in March alone, compared to 59 of 68 shipments (87%) in the same period of 2025.

The surge shows there is "no appetite from European buyers to stop buying Russian LNG," Sebastian Roetters of environmental NGO Urgewald told FT.

The report comes days after EU Energy Commissioner Dan JorgensenreaffirmedBrussels will not revise its planned ban on Russian gas imports, with LNG supplies slated to finish by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by autumn 2027. In an FT interview last week, he said there would be no change to the legislation, while acknowledging the bloc is "preparing for the worst-case scenarios," including potential fuel rationing amid disruptions from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The conflict has severely disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz - a key chokepoint handling about 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG - and hit Gulf energy infrastructure, driving a surge in LNG prices. Asian spot rates and European TTF nearly doubled before easing after the April 8 ceasefire, but both remain well above pre-conflict levels.

Brussels' stance on Russian energy has triggered warnings from some EU officials. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that "Europe is heading toward one of the most severe economic crises in its history," insisting "the only way out is to lift the sanctions imposed on Russian energy." Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-chair Alice Weidel urged a "return to an affordable and reliable energy supply" and purchasing energy "where it is cheapest, which is Russia" to stay competitive.

Moscow has echoed the warnings. According to Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, "Europe and Britain will beg for Russian energy" as the crisis deepens, arguing that the bloc is unprepared for a "long-lasting energy shock" due to its failure to diversify supplies - a shortfall he blamed on "Russophobic, Green, and woke ideology." Reacting to an FT report on X, he added: "As predicted, Europe needs Russia to survive."

(RT.com)