EU Spending on Russian Arctic LNG Reaches €8.7 Billion Ahead of Planned 2027 Import Ban

The European Union imported 12.89 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Arctic Yamal project between January and October 2026, totaling an estimated 8.7 billion euros. According to an analysis by environmental group Urgewald based on data from energy intelligence firm Kpler, the spending figures represent a 21 percent increase compared to the total bill for 2025. The imports accounted for 81 percent of all deliveries from the Yamal facility during the ten-month period, with a tanker arriving at an EU port approximately every 1.7 days. The increase in trade comes less than two months before an EU ban on Russian LNG imports under existing long-term contracts takes effect on January 1, 2027.

While volume arrivals in October dropped by 11 percent relative to September, the estimated monthly value of those deliveries rose by 2.6 percent to 839 million euros. Urgewald attributed the expenditure rise to higher European gas prices, noting that the regional benchmark reached 86.79 euros per megawatt-hour. That figure is more than double the price levels recorded prior to the outbreak of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

France was the largest European destination over the period, importing 5.37 million tonnes of Yamal LNG, and served as the primary destination for October shipments by taking 70 percent of European deliveries that month. Belgium received 3.06 million tonnes across 42 cargoes at the Zeebrugge terminal over the first ten months of 2026, despite recording no arrivals in August, September, or October. Additional shipments reached ports in Spain, which recorded 2.91 million tonnes, as well as the Netherlands with 1.32 million tonnes and Portugal with 0.22 million tonnes. Asian markets, primarily China, South Korea, and Taiwan, received 18.6 percent of Yamal exports during the same period.

Logistical considerations play a central role in Yamal's commercial structure due to its location in the Arctic. The project relies on specialized Arc7 ice-class tankers designed for frozen conditions, with European ports providing short routes that allow rapid ship turnaround times. Urgewald noted that losing European access would force longer voyages and higher transport costs, particularly during winter months when navigation along the Northern Sea Route is constrained.

Sanctions campaigners from Urgewald, including Alexander Kirk and Sebastian Rötters, called on EU member states to enforce the upcoming January deadline without granting exemptions or concessions to commercial importers. Kirk noted that switching suppliers still leaves European households exposed to gas price fluctuations, encouraging investments in clean energy to reduce overall demand. The source report did not include a statement from the Russian government or the operators of the Yamal project regarding the export figures or the upcoming import ban.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com