European Parliament Approves Option to Block Russian LNG Imports

On 11^th April, 2024, European Parliament granted authority for European governments to potentially halt Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, offering a legal avenue to restrict gas infrastructure capacity bookings.

• The European Union refrains from imposing sanctions on Russian gas, crucial for some member states' energy needs.
• The new gas policy establishes a legal mechanism for governments to prevent Russian gas deliveries, although no major importer has signalled intent to use it yet.
• EU gas market regulations permit governments to temporarily restrict Russian and Belarusian gas exporters from bidding for capacity on infrastructure delivering piped gas and LNG into Europe.
• Russia reduced pipeline gas ....