Media: Europe is still buying gas from Russia. Billions of euros are at stake.

According to "Der Spiegel", France is the largest buyer of Russian LNG in Europe, receiving 42% of total shipments. From January to October 2026, the EU received 177 tankers carrying 12.9 million tons of LNG, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year. However, due to rising prices linked to geopolitical tensions, the transaction value surged. The EU plans to ban Russian LNG imports entirely starting next year, despite calls for a delay due to supply concerns. This ban is expected to significantly impact Russia's economy, particularly its Arctic gas sector, as it relies heavily on European markets for LNG exports. Experts warn that losing access to European ports will drastically reduce Russia's LNG export capacity.