Spain imported 138,000 metric tonnes of Russian liquefied natural gas in October, resuming purchases after a one-month hiatus, according to a Nov. 12 report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The return to Russian gas comes as overall EU imports of LNG from Russia fell 10% month-on-month, and just months before a bloc-wide ban is set to come into force in January 2027.
Levi said companies are acting in their own commercial interests and are likely maximizing imports under long-term contracts ahead of the ban. “Companies are acting in their own commercial interests and are likely maximizing Russian LNG imports under existing long-term contracts ahead of the full EU ban coming into force,” said Isaac Levi, an analyst with CREA.
EU imports of LNG from Russia's Arctic Yamal facility have risen by a fifth so far in 2026 compared with the whole of 2025, but the increase was concentrated in the first half of the year, according to data shared with the Kyiv Independent. Countries such as Belgium have since eliminated Russian LNG from their supply chain, while France, another top importer, holds a contract that will run until the ban takes effect. The EU's separate ban on pipeline gas from Russia begins on 1 November 2027.
Separately, the CREA report highlighted a surge in the number of shadow fleet tankers flying the Russian flag. The vessels, which help Russia export fossil fuels and evade sanctions, rose from 20 ships delivering 6% of Russian oil in October 2025 to 62 vessels accounting for 47% of deliveries in October. “The expansion of Russia's own flag registry is an increasingly important tool for evading sanctions and avoiding scrutiny,” Levi said.
Officials in Sweden and Finland have told the Kyiv Independent that while they intercept shadow fleet ships based on legal criteria such as proof of an environmental risk, the flying of a Russian flag can alter the calculus for carrying out interceptions. They said the aim of EU sanctions policy is not necessarily to stop every ship but to raise the cost for Russia of exporting fossil fuels; requiring Russia to protect its ships with military vessels is an example of how sanctions measures impose additional costs.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The resumption of Russian LNG imports by a major EU member highlights the difficulty of enforcing sanctions as long as existing contracts remain in place.
- The surge in shadow fleet tankers flying the Russian flag shows how Russia is adapting to evade restrictions, potentially prolonging its ability to fund the war in Ukraine.
- With the EU ban on Russian LNG set for 2027, there is a risk of a last-minute rush of imports that could undermine the policy's impact.
Background
The EU has imposed a series of sanctions on Russian energy following its invasion of Ukraine. A full ban on Russian LNG imported into the bloc is due to take effect in January 2027, followed by a ban on pipeline gas from November 2027. Many member states have reduced their reliance on Russian gas, but some, like Hungary and Slovakia, remain connected to Russian pipelines.
Key Perspectives
Isaac Levi (CREA analyst): said companies are maximizing imports under existing long-term contracts ahead of the full ban, acting in their own commercial interests.
Swedish and Finnish officials: said the flying of a Russian flag can change the calculus for intercepting shadow fleet ships, but the main goal of sanctions is to raise costs for Russia rather than stop every vessel.
What to Watch
- Whether Spain and other EU countries continue to import Russian LNG in the months before the January 2027 ban.
- The further expansion of Russia's shadow fleet and the effectiveness of sanctions enforcement as more vessels adopt the Russian flag.
- The November 2027 pipeline gas ban, which will affect Hungary and Slovakia as the remaining pipeline importers.