European governments are facing renewed criticism for indirectly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to import large volumes of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite a pledge by the European Union to ban Russian LNG imports by 2027, recent data shows that shipments to EU ports increased over the past year.
In 2025, Russia earned an estimated €7.2 billion from exporting LNG from its Yamal facility in Siberia to European countries. More than 15 million tonnes of LNG were transported to EU terminals, with Europe accounting for over 76% of Yamal’s global shipments—an increase compared to the previous year.
While Europe has significantly reduced its dependence on Russian pipeline gas since the invasion of Ukraine, LNG imports remain legal and largely unaffected by sanctions. This is especially due to continued reliance on gas in parts of central and eastern Europe.
The Yamal LNG project depends heavily on European ports and a specialised fleet of ice-breaking Arc7 tankers. Two European-linked shipping companies are reported to handle a major share of these shipments, operating vessels specifically built for Arctic conditions.
Belgium, France, and other EU countries continue to play a key logistical role by providing ports where LNG is unloaded or reloaded. France emerged as the largest importer in 2025, receiving over six million tonnes of Russian LNG. European port access allows tankers to quickly return to the Arctic, making the operation economically viable for Russia.
Energy and sanctions experts argue that by keeping ports and shipping routes open, Europe is sustaining one of Russia’s most important energy projects and enabling continued revenue flows that support the war effort in Ukraine. Calls are growing for immediate action to close what critics describe as the “Yamal loophole” and end Europe’s role in facilitating Russian energy exports.