EU moves to cut off Russian fossil fuels: Hungary, Slovakia stand in opposition

European Pravda reported the information, citing an informed EU official.

According to the adopted proposal, after January 1, 2028, the EU is legally obligated to stop importing gas from Russia, including liquefied natural gas (LNG). The first stage of the ban will take effect on January 1, 2026, with exceptions for contracts concluded before June 17, 2024. Short-term agreements will be valid until June 2026, and long-term agreements until the beginning of 2028.

For Hungary and Slovakia, which are landlocked, temporary allowances and simplified documentation procedures for importing gas of non-Russian origin are provided. At the same time, the import of any gas, even from non-Russian sources, will require prior approval—one month in advance for Russian gas and five days for other sources.

The European Commission will also create a monitoring mechanism to prevent the hidden transit of Russian gas to EU countries, and member states must prepare plans for the diversification of their energy supplies.

Currently, the decision of the EU Council is not final—negotiations with the European Parliament are ahead to agree on the final text of the document. 

• Russia's revenue from hydrocarbon exports in September 2025 was half of what it was in September 2022, and tax revenues to the Russian Federation's budget from oil and gas decreased by 26% year-on-year.