Europe scales back Russian LNG imports as US and African supplies surge

Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the European Union have fallen by 6.9% since the beginning of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reaching nearly 16.5 billion cubic meters (bcm), according to TASS calculations based on data from the European analytical centre Bruegel.

Between January and October 2025, the EU imported approximately 16.3 bcm of Russian LNG, down from 17.5 bcm during the same period in 2024. In October alone, 1.4 bcm of Russian LNG was delivered to Europe — 25% higher than in September, but still slightly below the 1.5 bcm recorded in October last year.

At the same time, LNG supplies to the EU from the American direction — including the United States and Trinidad and Tobago — grew by 2% compared to September, reaching 8.1 bcm. Over the first ten months of the year, Europe’s total LNG imports from these countries surged by 61%, amounting to 73.5 bcm.

Europe also received 17.2 bcm of LNG from Africa and 9.5 bcm from the Middle East during the same period.

According to Bruegel’s figures, total LNG imports by the EU in October reached 13 bcm, an 11% increase compared to September and 43% higher than in October 2024. Since the start of 2025, overall LNG purchases by EU member states have grown by 29%, reaching 121 bcm in total.

By Tamilla Hasanova