European Union member states on Monday gave final approval to a legally binding ban on Russian gas imports, cementing a timeline to fully sever the bloc’s dependence on Siberian pipelines by late 2027.

The landmark law makes the EU’s long-standing vow to cut ties with Moscow a legal requirement nearly four years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

Under the agreement, the bloc will halt all Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by the end of 2026, followed by a total ban on pipeline gas by Sept. 30, 2027.

The legislation includes a contingency for energy security: the pipeline deadline can shift to Nov. 1, 2027, for countries struggling to fill storage caverns with non-Russian alternatives ahead of the winter season.

Ministers approved the measure in Brussels using a reinforced majority, a move designed to bypass opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. 

Both nations voted against the ban, citing their heavy reliance on Russian energy infrastructure and a desire to maintain diplomatic ties with Moscow. Bulgaria abstained from the vote.

Before the 2022 invasion, Russia supplied more than 40% of the EU’s gas. While that share dropped to approximately 13% by 2025, several member states have continued to fund Russia’s wartime economy through energy payments. 

Last month, the five largest EU importers spent roughly $1.66 billion on Russian energy, with Hungary, France, and Belgium leading the purchases.

The new law prohibits companies from entering new gas deals and mandates the termination of existing contracts. Short-term pipeline deals signed before mid-2025 must end by June 17, 2026. To ensure compliance, the EU established strict penalties; companies face fines of up to 3.5% of their total global annual turnover for violations.

The gas ban represents a significant escalation from previous sanctions, which primarily targeted seaborne oil. Looking ahead, the European Commission is expected to propose further legislation to phase out Russian pipeline oil and wean member states off Russian nuclear fuel.