As part of the RePowerEU Roadmap, Regulation (EU) 2026/261 on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and preparing the phase-out of Russian oil imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 (“the Regulation”) was approved in the EU on 26 January 2026.

The Regulation sets tight deadlines for phasing out Russian gas supplies (short-term contracts by spring 2026, long-term contracts by September 2027), including drafting national diversification plans to support these efforts.

Such a ban will have direct and indirect consequences on the Energy Community Contracting Parties, including those who have already phased out Russian supplies, and even without the Regulation being adopted by the Energy Community.

The study informed the members of the Security of Supply Group and the PHLG, and Contracting Parties policy decision makers of its impact assessment on security of supply and affordability of replacement quantities and capacities.