The European Union has reached a first agreement to implement a regulation that makes it difficult or de facto prohibits purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia and without it being necessary to establish new energy sanctions.

The European Parliament and the EU Council last Friday endorsed a package of measures that would allow member governments to temporarily prevent Russian and Belarusian exporters from reserving the infrastructure capacity necessary for LNG and natural gas shipments at terminals.

“The regulation will contain provisions that will allow member states to adopt restrictions on the supply of natural gas, including LNG from Russia or Belarus, with the aim of protecting the security interests of member states taking into account security of supply and diversification ”said the EU Council.

Although there are no EU-wide sanctions on Russian gas (yes for oil), the measure aims to put a stop to Europeans’ crazy purchases of this fuel from Russia. Because while natural gas pipeline flows have fallen to historic lows, LNG shipments from Moscow have increased exponentially. In fact, in 2023, Spain has become the gateway for Russian gas to Europe thanks to its underused terminals and is the European country that buys the most LNG from Russia (50% more compared to 2022). This year alone, Moscow has received about 12.5 billion euros from the EU in this regard, which finances its war against Ukraine.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson earlier this year called for a halt to Russian LNG shipments, saying companies should not renew long-term contracts once current ones end. Yes, some European states have already stopped buying Russian LNG, such as the United Kingdom, Poland and the Baltic countries.

“For years, energy has been Russia’s weapon against the EU economy and solidarity,” said lawmaker Jerzy Buzek, the parliament’s negotiator. “Member states will have a tool to gradually eliminate dependence on a dangerous monopolist,” he added. The regulation still needs the approval of the European Parliament and the states to come into force.