In the first half of 2025, European Union countries significantly increased their purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Russian Federation, spending €4.48 billion on it. This is €1 billion more than in the corresponding period of 2024, when the import value was €3.47 billion. The total LNG import to the EU over six months reached approximately €26.9 billion, with more than half of the supplies provided by the United States, which exported gas worth €13.7 billion.
This is reported by Business • Media
Sanctions Do Not Apply to Imports of Russian LNG
Currently, EU sanctions only pertain to pipeline gas from Russia, but there are exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to receive fuel through the “Turkish Stream” pipeline. At the same time, no specific restrictions have been imposed on the import of LNG from the Russian Federation. Last year, the United States became the main supplier of liquefied gas to the European market, accounting for nearly 45% of the total LNG import to the EU.
China is Buying Russian Oil Instead of India
Concurrently, Chinese refineries are actively purchasing Russian Urals oil, taking advantage of favorable discounts. Chinese companies resorted to this step after India reduced its purchase volumes due to increased tariffs from the United States. Traditionally, China buys Russian oil primarily in the Far East; however, in August, the volumes of Urals oil shipped from the Baltic and Black Sea ports reached nearly 75,000 barrels per day, which is double the annual average level.
“At the same time, exports to India have decreased to just over 400,000 barrels per day compared to an average of 1.18 million barrels.”
Thus, against the backdrop of changes in global energy policy and sanctions pressure, the EU and China are reorienting their energy strategies, significantly impacting the structure of the global oil and gas market.