The EU reached a preliminary agreement on a gas regulation to enable member states to effectively ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) without new energy sanctions.
The European Parliament representing member states and the Council of the European Union approved parts of a decarbonization package on Friday. The plan lays down common rules for natural gas, renewable gas, and hydrogen to prepare the EU for a move away from fossil fuels. The EU's move will enable member governments to temporarily block Russian and Belarusian exporters from booking the infrastructure needed to transport liquefied natural gas and natural gas.
“The regulation will include provisions that allow member states to restrict natural gas from Russia or Belarus, including LNG, with the aim of protecting the basic security interests of member states or the EU while considering supply security and diversification goals,” the EU Council said in a statement after the talks.
The EU's push for supply transformation is one such move, even though there are no sanctions against Russian gas at the EU level. Although gas pipeline traffic from Russia has fallen to a record low, LNG traffic has surged. European energy commissioner Kadri Simson called for an end to Russian LNG imports earlier this year, saying that the company should not renew long-term contracts after existing contracts expire.
Some European countries, such as Britain, Poland, and the Baltic States, have stopped buying Russian LNG.
The regulation still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and Council member states before it becomes law.