Novak says Europe received 12 million tonnes of Russian LNG in nine months

Europe received 12 million tonnes of Russian liquefied natural gas over nine months, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said. He said the volume exceeded that of the comparable period last year.

In an interview with the Vesti news service, Novak suggested buyers were increasing purchases before a ban on supplies under long-term contracts takes effect on January 1, 2027.

The Council of the European Union adopted the phased Russian gas ban in January. The transition period for short-term LNG contracts ended on April 25, 2026, while that for long-term contracts ends on January 1, 2027.

Novak criticised the restrictions, describing the European market as unbalanced. He estimated gas storage stocks were about 10 percent below the average for the same period in previous years.

The ban on Russian pipeline gas under short-term contracts has applied since June 17, 2026. According to the Council's guidance, the ban for long-term contracts starts on September 30, 2027. If winter storage targets are not met, that deadline may move to November 1, 2027.