Overview
- Research by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, released Wednesday, found EU imports of Russian liquefied natural gas in the first quarter of 2026 were the highest since 2022 at about 6.9 billion cubic meters.
- Bruegel-based figures cited by TASS show EU purchases of Russian LNG reached 8.98 billion cubic meters in January through April, an 18.5% increase from a year earlier.
- Monthly deliveries hit 2.46 billion cubic meters in March after Middle East shipments were suspended and new limits on short-term Russian contracts took effect.
- IEEFA says the United States is set to become Europe’s largest gas supplier in 2026 and could provide up to 80% of the bloc’s LNG by 2028, creating a concentration risk.
- IEEFA also notes U.S. LNG is the most expensive for European buyers, raising cost concerns as reliance grows alongside the EU’s pledge to end Russian energy imports by end-2027.