The European Union officially enforced a ban on imports of Russian pipeline gas under short-term contracts on Wednesday, marking another step in the bloc’s multiyear plan to eliminate its energy dependence on Moscow.

The restriction, effective June 17, requires the termination of all short-term pipeline contracts. It follows a similar ban on short-term Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports that took effect April 25, according to reports from the Russian state news agency TASS.

The measures stem from a definitive agreement reached by EU governments and the European Parliament in December 2025 to end all Russian pipeline gas imports by 2027.

Framed under the "REPowerEU" initiative, the strategy was designed to systematically drain Russia’s energy revenues following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"Today, we enter the era of Europe's full energy independence from Russia," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said when the pact was finalized, noting the policy permanently stops these imports from depleting "Putin's war chest."

The phase-out timeline mandates a total ban on Russian LNG by Jan. 1, 2027, and cuts off all pipeline gas by Sept. 30, 2027.

Prohibitions on existing long-term contracts will take effect at the start of 2027 for LNG and October 2026 for pipeline gas, though member states facing storage difficulties can request a one-month extension.

Additionally, all remaining Russian gas imports now require prior authorization.

Despite the restrictions, Russia has maintained a stable pipeline supply to Europe. In April, Russia ranked fourth in the EU's overall gas import value—behind the United States, Norway, and Algeria—holding a 15.8% market share worth €1.28 billion, according to Eurostat data.

Prior to the 2022 invasion, Russian gas accounted for 45% of EU imports, a figure that had dropped to 12% by late 2025.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that Russia could initiate an early exit from the European market and redirect its supplies to alternative global buyers.

Looking ahead, EU member states must submit national energy diversification plans by March 1, as the European Commission prepares to propose a matching phase-out of remaining Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.