EU Nations Mark First Increase in Gas Imports from Russia in Record
For the first time in approximately two years, EU nations bought more gas from Russia than from the USA in a three-month period. As per figures from the Brussels-based research institution Bruegel, the EU obtained around 12.7 billion cubic meters from Russia and 12.3 billion from the USA during the April to June quarter. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, Russia's gas supplies decreased slightly, but the U.S.'s deliveries dropped more noticeably. These numbers were reported by "World" on a recent Sunday.
Norway continues to be the EU's top gas provider, with 23.9 billion cubic meters in the second quarter. Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Russia held this spot, but numerous EU countries reduced their imports from the nation afterwards. According to data from Germany's Federal Statistical Office, Germany no longer gets any gas from there. Throughout the EU, Russia has advanced to the second spot among the list of providers, barely surpassing the USA. The recipient nations were not mentioned in the data.
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen urged for an EU-wide ban on Russian gas imports in "World": "Europeans are aiding Ukraine with billions while simultaneously adding billions to Putin's war fund – that's neither responsible, logical, or credible." The energy policy spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group in Germany's Bundestag, Michael Kruse, suggested imposing a surcharge on the cost of Russian imported gas to fund aid and weapon deliveries to Ukraine: "In doing so, Putin would be funding his resistance against his brutal attacks himself."
The EU's shift towards purchasing more gas from Russia can be attributed to supplies from Norway decreasing slightly in the second quarter. Despite this, natural gas remains a critical resource, as Germany reportedly no longer receives any from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
