EventEU paid €5.96 billion for 136 of the 140 Yamal LNG cargoes shipped in January–June 2026, sending 97 % of deliveries to EU ports—mainly France (51 cargoes), Belgium (37) and Spain (34). Cargoes were handled by non‑Russian carriers Seapeak, Dynagas and MOL/COSCO.
Russia’s Arctic LNG exports have shifted to the European Union, which now accounts for a record €5.96 billion bill from 136 cargoes delivered in the first half of 2026, making Europe the primary market for these shipments.
European Union’s LNG imports from Russia’s Yamal project surged in the first half of 2026, with €5.96 billion paid for 136 out of 140 global shipments—over 97% of total deliveries—and major EU ports such as Zeebrugge and Dunkerque receiving almost all cargoes, marking a sharp shift from China to Europe amid ongoing sanctions.
The European Union bought €5.96 billion of Yamal LNG in the first half of 2026, sending 140 cargoes of 10.25 million tonnes through its ports. These shipments show Europe’s continued role as the primary market for Russian Arctic gas despite an upcoming ban on imports from January 1, 2027.
Over the first six months of 2026, the EU paid an estimated €5.96 billion for Yamal Arctic LNG, covering more than 97% of total deliveries; China received just four cargoes in that same period.
The European Union spent roughly €5.96 billion ($6.82 billion) on Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas during H1 2026, a rise that comes just before an upcoming ban on Russian LNG imports, highlighting shifting high‑north energy dynamics.
EU spending nearly €6 billion on Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas during the first half of 2026 illustrates ongoing demand for Russian gas, even as a planned 2027 ban on Russian LNG imports is set to take effect.
The EU is ordering additional LNG from Russia’s Yamal project on the Arctic Yamal Peninsula as Moscow signals an upcoming ban on new imports, prompting a shift in European supply chains and underscoring growing energy security concerns.
EU spent nearly €6 billion on Yamal LNG in early 2026, with 97 % of cargoes shipped to EU ports, indicating the bloc’s continued dependence on Arctic gas despite planned import bans.
EU terminals imported almost 10 million tonnes of Yamal LNG in H1 2026—up 16% YoY—and handled over 97 % of the project’s global cargoes before a full Russian gas ban takes effect early 2027.
