EU LNG imports from Russia’s Yamal hit record high in first half of this year

EU purchases rose to a record 9.89 million tonnes, an increase of 18 percent compared with the first half of 2025, the Financial Times reports, citing analysis firm Kpler.

In total, European buyers paid 6 billion euros (approximately 66 billion kronor) for LNG deliveries from Yamal, which is owned by the Russian energy group Novatek.

Most of the gas was bought by France, Belgium and Spain, which imported 3.6 million, 2.9 million and 2.7 million tonnes of LNG from Yamal respectively during the period.

Under current sanctions, it is prohibited to import Russian gas into the EU unless it is covered by longer-term supply contracts. From the beginning of the year, the sanctions will be tightened further.