The European Union reported an increase in Russian gas imports

Russian gas imports to the European Union (EU) have increased over the past year and continue to grow despite the anti-Russian sanctions. Ludas Mazhilis, a member of the European Parliament (EP) from Lithuania, said this in an appeal to the European Commission (EC).

The MEP recalled that in response to the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the EU "set itself the goal of ending all imports of Russian fossil fuels by 2027 as part of its sustainability efforts."

"However, imports from Russia were higher in 2024 than in 2023, and imports of natural gas, including liquefied natural gas ( LNG ), continued to increase in 2025," Lenta.Ru quoted the text of the letter as saying on February 19.

In this regard, Majilis asked whether the EC plans to consider restrictions on trade in Russian gas as part of new sanctions measures against Russia.

"How does the European Commission intend to solve the problem of increasing Russian gas imports to the EU and what specific measures it intends to take in this regard?" - the EP member asked.

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Russia was again the EU's main gas supplier in monetary terms last December, RT reported on February 17, citing Eurostat data. Russia accounted for a quarter of all European purchases. Thus, at the end of the last month of 2024, Russia increased its share to 25.2% - the highest since March 2022 (30.2%).

On the same day, The Economist wrote that amid rumors of a possible end to the conflict in Ukraine, Europe is beginning to think about resuming large purchases of gas from Russia, as lower energy bills could revive the dying European industry.

Europe estimates that resuming gas purchases from Russia would increase GDP by 0.5%, according to 360.ru.

"On January 1, 2025, Gazprom announced the suspension of Russian gas supplies to the EU via Ukraine. This route was used for 50% of Russian gas exports to Europe. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo said that this would have drastic consequences for the EU, but not for Russia.

On February 6, Gazprom resumed deliveries of Russian gas to Slovakia through the Turkish Stream pipeline, reports NSN.

At the end of August 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country would not extend the gas transit agreement with Russia, which was valid until the end of 2024. Russian leader Vladimir Putin later pointed out that Moscow was not giving up gas transit through Ukrainian territory.