EU Formally Adopts Russian Gas Import Ban

The plans form part of the EU’s plan to increase the bloc’s energy independence, moving away from Russian fuel.

Gas pipelines at the Atamanskaya compressor station, facility of Gazprom's Power Of Siberia project outside the far eastern town of Svobodny, Russia, on Nov. 29, 2019. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Most European Union member states voted on Jan. 26 to formally adopt regulations to phase out the import of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Council of the EU said in a statement that, once the ban takes effect, member states will have to verify the country of origin of gas before its importation is authorized.