FT: EU boosts Russian LNG imports as Middle East crisis tightens supplies

European Union member states increased imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia’s flagship Yamal project in the first quarter of 2026 as disruptions in Middle East energy supplies tightened global markets, data cited by energy researchers showed.

Imports from the Siberian Yamal LNG facility rose 17% year-on-year to about 5 million tonnes in January–March, according to figures from energy analytics group Kpler cited in estimates by environmental NGO Urgewald, Financial Times reports.

EU countries accounted for 97% of Yamal cargoes during the period, taking 69 out of 71 shipments, with deliveries accelerating in March, the data showed.

The increase came as supplies from other major exporters, including Qatar, were constrained following damage to energy infrastructure in the Middle East and heightened tensions affecting shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

The surge in volumes, combined with higher European gas prices, pushed estimated EU spending on Yamal LNG to about €2.88 billion in the first quarter, according to Urgewald.

The findings highlight continued reliance on Russian LNG despite Brussels’ plans to phase out imports. A ban on short-term contracts is already in place, while a wider prohibition is scheduled for January 2027.

Sebastian Rötters, a campaigner at Urgewald, said there was “no appetite from European buyers to stop buying Russian LNG”.

Yamal remains the dominant source of Russian LNG into Europe, while cargoes diverted to Asia have declined this year due to regulatory restrictions and weaker regional demand.

The European Commission has not commented on the latest import data.

EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen last month defended the planned phase-out, saying it would be “a mistake for us to repeat what we did in the past”, referring to the bloc’s previous dependence on Russian energy supplies.

Rötters added: “All the numbers show a dependency of Russia on the European market,” noting that Russia would struggle to fully redirect volumes if the EU ban proceeds.

Bloomberg reported on April 9 that, following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Russia has begun offering Asian countries alternative schemes to purchase Russian LNG, which is subject to US sanctions. According to one of the agency’s sources, “little-known Russian and Chinese intermediaries” were offering gas at a 40% discount to spot prices.