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EU proposes legal measures to ban Russian gas

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Would gradually halt Russian imports by end of 2027

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Proposals need support from reinforced majority of EU

countries

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Some concerned about legal risk for importing companies

(Adds detail and changes sourcing after proposals published,

paragraphs 3-6, 14 and 17-18)

By Kate Abnett and Julia Payne

LUXEMBOURG, June 17 (Reuters) - The European Commission

on Tuesday proposed a legally binding ban on EU imports of

Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2027,

using legal measures to ensure the plan cannot be blocked by EU

members Hungary and Slovakia.

The proposals set out how the European Union plans to fix

into law its vow to end decades-old energy relations with

Europe's former top gas supplier, made after Moscow's 2022

invasion of Ukraine.

First, imports would be banned from January 1, 2026, under

any Russian pipeline gas and LNG contracts signed during the

remainder of this year.

Imports under short-term Russian gas deals - defined as

those lasting less than one year - signed before June 17, 2025,

would be banned from June 17 next year.

Finally, imports under existing long-term Russian contracts

would be banned from January 1, 2028, effectively ending the

EU's use of Russian gas by this date, the Commission said.

Hungary and Slovakia, which still import Russian gas via

pipeline and have opposed the EU plans, would have until January

1, 2028, to end their imports, including those on short-term

contracts.

Companies including TotalEnergies and Spain's

Naturgy have Russian LNG contracts extending into the

2030s.

EU LNG terminals would also be gradually banned from

providing services to Russian customers, and companies importing

Russian gas would have to disclose information on their

contracts to EU and national authorities, Reuters reported

previously.

EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen said on Monday that the

measures were designed to be legally strong enough for companies

to invoke the contractual clause of "force majeure" - an

unforeseeable event - to break their Russian gas contracts.

NO VETO

Slovakia and Hungary, which have sought to maintain close

political ties with Russia, say switching to alternatives would

increase energy prices. They have vowed to block sanctions on

Russian energy, which require unanimous approval from all EU

countries, and have opposed the ban.

To get around this, the Commission based its proposed ban on

EU trade and energy law - a legal basis that can be passed with

support from a reinforced majority of countries and a majority

of the European Parliament.

About 19% of Europe's gas still comes from Russia, via the

TurkStream pipeline and LNG shipments, down from roughly 45%

before 2022.

To replace Russian supplies, the EU has signalled it will

expand clean energy and could import more U.S. LNG.

Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and France import Russian

LNG but have all said they fully support the ban, emphasising

that it must be sufficiently robust legally to avoid exposing

companies to penalties or arbitration, EU diplomats told

Reuters.

Lawyers have said it would be difficult to eliminate risk

for companies if the EU does not use sanctions.

"Arbitration is possible. We expect that some of the

contract partners ... may try to use the courts," a Commission

official said.