Europe is buying Russian LNG at a record pace.

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The European Union imported 13,6 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas in March 2026, according to GIE data. This figure, as noted, increased by 7% year-on-year and became the highest ever.

The growth comes amid the conflict in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of the world's LNG supplies passes.

analysts say.



Explaining the EU's behavior, experts emphasize that spring traditionally marks the beginning of storage replenishment, which was already below planned levels last winter. This year, geopolitical risks and fears of shortages have exacerbated this factor. This is partly why spot purchases are being made at elevated prices.

According to Bruegel data, LNG imports from Russia reached 2,5 billion cubic meters in March of this year. This figure increased by 38% year-on-year and reached an all-time high.

For the entire first quarter of 2026, deliveries from Russia amounted to 6,8 billion cubic meters. Of this, 70-80% are under long-term contracts, which include prices below current ones.

– experts state.

As a reminder, following the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Europe declared a policy of refusing to purchase Russian energy resources. However, amid the conflict in the Middle East and rising prices for raw materials and fuel, the EU is already declaring the need to establish contacts with Russia regarding oil and gas purchases.
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  1. Karelian
    Karelian
    0
    April 3 2026 15: 46
    It's hot. On the one hand, there's the understanding that we can't do without Russian gas, on the other, there's a manic desire to destroy the processing and transportation capacity of the fuel and energy complex.
    1. CEBEP
      CEBEP
      0
      April 4 2026 12: 43
      Andryusha Elistratov, could you tell me how these deliveries are paid for? The money is deposited into frozen accounts in European banks. Are we giving away our LNG again? A threat to national security. And where are the relevant agencies?
  2. rotkiv04
    rotkiv04
    +6
    April 3 2026 15: 51
    The nanostrategist said something about not waiting until 27 to turn off the rear-wheel drive system ourselves, but apparently the devils in the form of green banknotes, as always with this government, won.
    1. Pivander
      Pivander
      -9
      April 3 2026 16: 21
      Will you personally sponsor the SVO? Or are you just a regular chatterbox, a pot-head?
      1. Alexander Petrovsky
        Alexander Petrovsky
        +6
        April 3 2026 17: 06
        As an ordinary, narrow-minded citizen, I find it strange that strategic resources, such as uranium, which is in short supply in Russia, are being sold to countries that are labeled "enemies" on patriotic, morally uplifting television and with whom we are currently engaged in a war of survival. And at prices they set on the London Commodity Exchange, no less.
        1. CEBEP
          CEBEP
          -1
          April 4 2026 12: 47
          We supply uranium assemblies to Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Didn't you know?
      2. rotkiv04
        rotkiv04
        0
        April 3 2026 17: 08
        Quote: Pivander
        Will you personally sponsor the SVO? Or are you just a regular chatterbox, a pot-head?

        Oh, another one has woken up, the beer is warming up, go keep drinking, you're better at it. laughing
        1. Dormidontov_Dormidont
          Dormidontov_Dormidont
          -1
          April 4 2026 10: 31
          Quote: rotkiv04
          Quote: Pivander
          Will you personally sponsor the SVO? Or are you just a regular chatterbox, a pot-head?

          Oh, another one has woken up, the beer is warming up, go keep drinking, you're better at it. laughing

          The Ukrainian provocateur Rotkiv was reprimanded, and he still responds with rudeness...
  3. Kiril
    Kiril
    + 11
    April 3 2026 16: 41
    Not only do we continue to sell, but we do so on an increased scale. feel -and no one puts those who trade with the enemy against the wall request
    1. Dima
      Dima
      -3
      April 3 2026 17: 05
      Fools don't sow or reap—they're born. Will medicine, spare parts, medical equipment, fruits, vegetables, and so on be purchased with your personal donations? Even the Kim dynasty couldn't build a complete authorKiev, and Russia, which has been fitting into the global world for 25 years, even more so.
      1. kot711
        kot711
        +3
        April 3 2026 17: 25
        Medicines, spare parts, medical equipment, fruits, vegetables and so on down the list will be purchased with your personal donations? ??
        Could you tell me who did this, that everything has to be purchased? So, speaking of fools, some people should keep quiet.
        1. Dima
          Dima
          0
          April 3 2026 19: 29
          Let me give you a hint. Globalization did it. There's not a single country in the world capable of producing everything on its own; even the USSR was forced to buy a lot from abroad.
          1. Andrey Andreev_2
            Andrey Andreev_2
            +2
            April 3 2026 20: 54
            Globalization has led to the point where our workers and collective farmers are raising funds for the SVO, and TV screens are constantly filled with images of aid for sick children... Is it really impossible for the state to resolve these issues?? I won't even mention the SVO leadership; indecisiveness and cowardice in the face of globalists prevent our state from responding to the neo-fascists (the Brits, the Frogs, the Germans...)
            1. Dima
              Dima
              +1
              April 3 2026 21: 15
              Regarding "helping sick children," it's a typical business exploiting suffering. Most of these children could be cured in Russia, but charities and parents find it easier to squeeze money out of compassionate citizens.
              As for raising "funds for the SVO," the state is sluggish and bureaucratic. There's no martial law in the country, no general mobilization, so things aren't happening quickly.
          2. kot711
            kot711
            0
            April 4 2026 09: 20
            You're obviously inattentive, both in your writing and your reading. Everything is important here. And the Union purchased what it needed. Just ask, how many businesses have been closed since 91?
            1. Dima
              Dima
              -1
              April 4 2026 19: 10
              Oh, really. Where did you see all of this? Russia has become self-sufficient in food for the first time since Khrushchev. As for the closed businesses, I've been working there for a long time, dating back to the Gorbachev era, and I've seen plenty of businesses, both closed and open. Many of them should have been closed before they even opened.
              1. kot711
                kot711
                0
                April 5 2026 09: 14
                Medicines, spare parts, medical equipment, fruits, vegetables, and so on will be purchased with your personal donations? Didn't you write that?
                I don't know what you've seized there, but in the Soviet Union, enterprises weren't closed; they could be repurposed, but not closed. As I understand it, you consider yourself a great economist (many of them should have been closed before they even opened). Apparently, a punk with an alcoholic listens only to people like you.
                1. Dima
                  Dima
                  -1
                  April 5 2026 11: 28
                  It's spring, psychiatrists can't cope, but you hold on.
                  1. kot711
                    kot711
                    0
                    April 6 2026 09: 19
                    You must have been discharged, since you know psychiatrists are under pressure. He writes and then denies it, it's a serious case.
                    1. Dima
                      Dima
                      0
                      April 6 2026 11: 43
                      That's not true, two weeks ago I was getting a certificate to renew my license at a mental hospital, and the reception desk there was full of specialists.
      2. Andrey Andreev_2
        Andrey Andreev_2
        0
        April 3 2026 20: 58
        ...fitting into the global world...

        She destroyed entire industries at the hands of the inscribers, and none of these freaks were held accountable to their people! They live peacefully and wallow in luxury.
        1. Dormidontov_Dormidont
          Dormidontov_Dormidont
          -2
          April 4 2026 10: 38
          Quote: Andrey Andreev_2
          ...fitting into the global world...

          She destroyed entire industries at the hands of the inscribers, and none of these freaks were held accountable to their people! They live peacefully and wallow in luxury.

          Once again, the Ukrainian provocateur is speaking out for the people. Are you personally on hunger strike?
          He who works has the means.
  4. Shkilet
    Shkilet
    +3
    April 3 2026 19: 05
    Gas that will be transformed into bullets that kill us. That's sovereignty.
  5. Andrey Andreev_2
    Andrey Andreev_2
    -1
    April 3 2026 20: 49
    And which traitors to Russia are selling Russian LNG to Europe?
    1. art573
      art573
      -1
      April 4 2026 01: 48
      If they use this money to import equipment and products back into Russia, they're not traitors. But if they claim they'll use the proceeds to buy Russian products in the West (or East – South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, etc.) and import them into Russia, while leaving the money in the EU, then they're traitors. There are a ton of charges against them, including economic ones.
  6. Alexey Lan
    Alexey Lan
    0
    April 3 2026 21: 47
    The heating season in Western Europe is effectively over. There's still time to maneuver, despite the war in the Middle East.
  7. Botrops
    Botrops
    -1
    April 5 2026 11: 26
    The question is different. Why are we even selling LNG to Europe?