Ahead of the highly anticipated 16th sanctions package announcement, Ukrainian campaign group Razom We Stand is issuing a final call to the European Union and world leaders to take decisive action by banning Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). As the war in Ukraine moves into its third year, it has become more clear that continued purchases of Russian LNG not only fund Putin’s war machine but also undermine European security and global stability.
Following this week’s news of the US-Russia peace talks and EU leaders meeting in Paris to discuss security measures for Europe and Ukraine, Razom We Stand urges the EU to use this upcoming sanctions package to make a real impact on the Kremlin’s war chest by targeting its most lucrative asset: fossil fuels, especially LNG. With the Trump administration moving to take over peace negotiations, this could be the final chance to strengthen the position of the EU and Ukraine at the negotiation table.
A full ban on Russian LNG imports is not just about energy policy and improving energy security—it’s about ending European complicity in financing the war in Ukraine. The fact that many European countries, including France, Belgium, and Spain, have spent more on Russian LNG than they have contributed in aid to Ukraine is a stark demonstration of this hypocrisy.
Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, stated:
“Every euro spent on Russian LNG fuels the bombs that devastate Ukrainian cities and the missiles that kill innocent civilians. This is not just an economic transaction; it is material support to Russia, which contributes funds towards their military and ends up with war crimes carried out in Ukraine. The EU has the power to end this, but only if it chooses human lives over profit margins. This upcoming sanctions package is a historic opportunity to prove that Europe truly stands with Ukraine. We cannot afford more half-measures—Russian LNG must be banned now.”
The Case for a Full Ban on Russian LNG
- In 2024, the EU imported a record 16.65 million tonnes of Russian LNG, directly funding the Kremlin’s war chest.
- Despite the EU’s stated goal of reducing reliance on Russian energy, Russian LNG purchases hit record levels, undermining both European security and Ukraine’s fight for survival.
- Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia earned €825 billion from fossil fuel exports, with EU countries purchasing over €204 billion worth.
Europe Doesn’t Need Russian LNG
The notion that Europe relies on Russian energy is outdated. In 2024, renewables supplied nearly 47% of the EU’s electricity, with solar surpassing coal for the first time. The EU’s €300 billion REPowerEU plan is accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels, proving that the transition is already underway.
Russia’s war has exposed the vulnerability of centralised energy systems. In contrast, decentralised renewables like solar and wind are not only cheaper but also far more resilient to attacks than conventional power plants.
The past three years have shown that sanctions are effective, but only when they are comprehensive, enforced, and continuously strengthened. Razom We Stand calls on EU policymakers to:
- Implement a full ban on Russian LNG imports to prevent ongoing European financing of Russia’s war.
- Create complete transparency in the EU gas market to track Russian gas use and eliminate it effectively.
- Sanction all ‘shadow fleet’ vessels and their operators to cut off illegal oil and gas transport.
- Impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil and logistical enablers to ensure a true global crackdown on Russian fossil fuel revenues.
ENDS
Razom We Stand is a Ukrainian clean energy campaign group active internationally, calling for a total and permanent embargo on Russian fossil fuels and an immediate end to all investment into Russian oil and gas companies by phasing out fossil fuels globally.
Svitlana Romanko has appeared in the top-tier international press, including Financial Times, Bloomberg, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, Newsweek, Politico, The Hill, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Le Monde and more.
