GLNG: European Parliament permits members to ban Russian LNG imports

The European Parliament has voted to adopt rules that will give member countries the legal basis to block Russian LNG imports through preventing Russian firms from booking the gas infrastructure capacity needed to deliver the super-chilled fuel to Europe.

The vote was taken on April 11, although the legal text was first agreed on in December 2023.

A reinforced majority of EU member states will now need to ratify the policy before it comes into force, a move which is expected to occur in May, with the law passed without any changes to it.

EU member states will also be able to halt Belarusian gas exporters from bidding for the required gas infrastructure capacity.

The move is seen widely as a compromise from the bloc imposing sanctions. Some member countries such as the Baltic nations and Poland have urged harsher action to be taken against Russia’s LNG industry in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.