Ministers from the 27 EU member states on Monday gave their final approval to a regulation that will see all Russian gas imports into the bloc banned by late 2027, a vote that allows the measure to pass into law.

The agreement is in line with the European Union's pledge to cut ties with its former main gas supplier amid security fears stoked by Russia's full-scale ⁠invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

What does the policy entail?

Under the agreement, the EU will halt imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) ‍by the end of 2026 and of pipeline gas by September 30, 2027.

Under the law, that end date can be moved back to November 1, 2027, if a member state is having difficulties reaching its required gas storage levels with other sources ahead of the winter heating season.

According to the website of the Council of the European Union, member states will have until March 1 this year to "prepare national plans to diversify gas supplies and identify potential challenges in replacing Russian gas."

It said that if supply security is "seriously threatened in one or more EU countires," the import ban could be suspended for up to four weeks.

Hungarian and Slovakian opposition

Although unanimity is normally required for resolutions by the bloc, this ban was designed to be approved only by a reinforced majority, using trade and energy laws that avoid national vetoes.

This enabled it to be pushed through despite the opposition of Hungary and Slovakia, both of which remain heavily dependent on Russian energy imports and have kept up friendly relations with Moscow despite its illegal invasion.

Hungary said it would take the case to the European Court of Justice.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine almost four years ago, it supplied more than 40% of the EU's gas, but that share dropped to around 13% in 2025, according to EU data.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery