EU agrees to phase out Russian natural gas imports by January 2026

The European Union (EU) has reached an agreement on a draft regulation to phase out imports of Russian natural gas by January 1, 2026. This decision includes a transition period for existing contracts, which will remain in effect until January 1, 2028.

This move is part of the EU"s broader strategy to reduce dependency on Russian energy sources amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The regulation aims to ensure a gradual transition away from these imports while allowing for the continuation of existing agreements during the specified transition period.

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The agreement was announced on October 20, 2025, and reflects the EU"s commitment to energy security and diversification of energy supplies.