The Guardian: The EU remains the largest buyer of Russian natural gas
Despite implementing sanctions against Russia, the EU remains the world's largest buyer of Russian pipeline and liquefied natural gas. On October 26, the UK's The Guardian cited data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Air Quality, reporting: "The EU purchased 50% of Russia's total liquefied natural gas exports, followed by China (22%) and Japan (18%). The group is also the largest buyer of Russian pipeline gas, with imports accounting for 35% of Russia's pipeline gas exports, followed by China (30%) and Turkey (29%)."
The report pointed out that in September 2025, Hungary and Slovakia became the largest importers of Russian natural gas within the EU, purchasing $393 million and $207 million worth of Russian fossil fuels, respectively. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands continued to import Russian natural gas.
Previously, on October 9, Hungary did not support the exemption clause proposed by the European Commission in the nineteenth round of sanctions, which aimed to completely ban the import of Russian liquefied natural gas starting in January 2027.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, called on EU member states to impose secondary sanctions on Russian oil supplies similar to the US model on August 29. On September 12, it was reported that the EU was completing the formulation of the nineteenth round of sanctions against Russia. Kallas stated that the new plan would consider additional measures targeting Russian oil supplies, "shadow" fleets of oil tankers, and banking institutions.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847090536018956/
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