European Union countries continue to be major buyers of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), spending approximately $6.8 billion in the first half of 2026, according to an analysis of commercial shipping data. This ongoing financial flow to Russia presents a significant contradiction as NATO allies increase defense spending and provide military aid to Ukraine.
The analysis, based on data from the environmental watchdog Urgewald and the trade intelligence platform Kpler, found that 136 out of 140 LNG cargoes exported from Russia's Yamal project between January and June were delivered to EU ports. China, by comparison, received only four cargoes during the same period.
These shipments generated an estimated €5.96 billion, or about $6.8 billion, based on benchmark European natural gas prices. The figures highlight the bloc's continued dependence on Russian energy resources, even as governments have pledged to reduce and eventually eliminate these imports.
French ports received the largest share of these cargoes, with 51 deliveries, followed by Belgium with 37 and Spain with 34. These figures represent deliveries to ports and not necessarily the final destination or the purchasing entity within the European market.
The European Union has implemented legislation to phase out Russian gas imports, with a ban on new Russian LNG contracts taking effect in March 2026 and long-term contracts slated to end by January 1, 2027. Pipeline gas imports have seen a sharp decline since 2022, but LNG has remained a substantial supply source for several EU nations.
This continued reliance on Russian energy revenue underscores the strategic challenges Europe faces in unwinding decades of dependence. The ongoing revenue stream for Russia comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies are working to limit Moscow's financial capacity to sustain its military actions in Ukraine. In June, EU foreign ministers approved further sanctions targeting Russia's military-industrial complex and aimed at curbing energy revenues by tightening restrictions on its oil export networks.
The situation has drawn criticism, with former President Donald Trump previously stating that Europe has spent significantly more on purchasing Russian oil and gas than on defending Ukraine. The European Commission has attributed the recent increase in deliveries to factors such as "frontloaded deliveries and adjustments to contractual arrangements ahead of tighter restrictions," along with market disruptions and potential restrictions on Russian LNG transshipment.
Despite the EU's stated goals and phased approach to ending Russian energy imports, the ongoing financial flows via LNG highlight the complexities of energy transition and geopolitical strategy. Spain, a significant importer of Russian LNG, has been a focal point in these discussions, with some advocating for delays to import bans due to concerns about over-reliance on U.S. gas, while others, including Spain's energy minister, maintain that the increase is temporary and the phase-out should proceed as planned.