EU, Estonia Accelerate Russian LNG Import Bans

The European Commission is considering accelerating a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of its 19th sanctions package against Russia, with member states set to review the proposal soon. This move aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's call for Europe to halt all Russian oil purchases and impose tariffs on major buyers like China and India to weaken Russia's economy. Estonia announced it will entirely ban Russian natural gas imports, including LNG, starting in 2026, extending prohibitions beyond the distribution network. This decision supports the broader EU RePowerEU strategy aiming to phase out Russian energy imports by 2028 and is coordinated with similar measures taken by Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland's call to stop Russian oil imports by 2026. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized these sanctions aim to reduce Russian revenues used to fund its war in Ukraine and extend similar bans to Belarus due to its support for Russia. Despite these efforts, EU imports of Russian LNG increased in early 2025, highlighting the urgency of implementing these sanctions to strengthen energy security and isolate Russia economically.