EU to Exempt US and Qatar from Gas Checks Under New Russian Import Ban

New EU Rules for Gas Import Control

According to Главком: The European Union has decided to exempt the United States and Qatar from additional checks as part of its ban on Russian gas supplies. This move is part of new gas import control rules designed to phase out Russian gas by the end of 2027. Under the new requirements, companies supplying gas to the EU must submit advance confirmation of the country of origin five days before a shipment arrives. This policy is a key component of the bloc's broader strategy to achieve energy independence from Russia.

For major suppliers and countries deemed low-risk for containing Russian gas, the requirement for advance confirmation will be waived. The list of low-risk countries includes:

• United States
• Norway
• Qatar
• United Kingdom
• Algeria
• Nigeria

The document notes that the draft may still be amended before its official publication.

Transition Periods and Penalties

It is important to note that Russia drastically reduced gas supplies to the EU after 2021, when imports of Russian gas reached 151 billion cubic meters. In 2025, Norway supplied the EU with 89 billion cubic meters of gas, the US supplied 81 billion, while Russia supplied only 37 billion. The EU Council has approved a phased ban on imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which will take effect six weeks after the regulation enters into force.

Existing contracts will receive a transition period, but a full ban on LNG imports will begin at the start of 2027, and the ban on pipeline gas imports will start in autumn 2027. Before gas is admitted to the Union market, EU member states will verify its country of origin. By March 1, member states must submit plans for replacing Russian gas and provide information on existing contracts.

Countries that continue to import Russian oil must also prepare similar plans. Penalties for violating the new rules are as follows:

• For individuals - from 2.5 million euros;
• For companies - from 40 million euros or up to 3.5% of annual turnover or 300% of the transaction value.

These new rules underscore the EU's efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions.

Moving away from Russian gas creates opportunities for alternative suppliers, which could strengthen energy security in the region. Significantly, countries with a low risk of importing Russian gas are receiving preferential treatment, which may encourage them to increase supplies to the EU amid new challenges in the energy market.