MOSCOW, July 2 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Imports of Russian natural gas to the European Union in the first months of 2026 after the ban on new contracts came into force did not decrease, but increased, according to the first report by the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), published on Wednesday.

Between January and May 2026, pipeline imports rose 7% year-on-year while LNG imports increased by 11%. Looking specifically at the time since the Regulation came into effect (18 March 2026), LNG imports increased by +17% from 18 March to 31 May 2026 (compared to the same period in 2025), despite a ban on short-term LNG imports since April 2026. Russian pipeline imports have increased by 5% year-on-year (for the same period 18 March to end May), the report said.

ACER said the growth is due to several factors including frontloaded deliveries ahead of the tighter restrictions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar