The regulation for the gradual stop of gas and LNG imports from Russia has been published in the Official Journal of the EU. The roadmap of the RepowerEu regulation will therefore come into force from 3 February 2026: the gradual ban will begin to apply starting from 18 March through several stages, until imports of Russian gas are completely freed by autumn 2027. Specifically, the ban will start from 25 April for short-term contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG); from 17 June for short-term contracts for gas transported via pipeline; from 1 January 2027 for long-term contracts for LNG imports and, finally, from 30 September 2027 for gas imports via pipeline for long-term contracts. The regulation provides that EU countries can request an extension until 31 October 2027 when faced with exceptionally low gas reserves. Furthermore, by March 1, 2026, the Twenty-Seven will have to present their national diversification plans to Brussels with the measures with which they intend to implement the EU ban.
The appeal
“If our Member States have concerns and wish to legally challenge the legislation adopted, they have the right to do so. It would not be the first time in the history of the Commission that this has happened but we will be there to defend our position, while ensuring that none of our Member States face security of supply problems.” This was said by the spokesperson of the EU Energy Commission, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, after Hungary’s appeal to the EU Court of Justice for the regulation that will impose a stop on imports of Russian gas.