TASS reported that the latest data shows that the flow of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia to Europe is accelerating again in an unexpected way.
In March, Russia's LNG exports to the European Union (EU) reached their highest level in history, amid supply disruptions from the Middle East due to military conflict.
According to calculations based on Bruegel data, in March, the EU imported about 2.46 billion m3 of LNG from Russia - the highest level ever recorded. In the first quarter of 2026, the EU's LNG imports from Russia reached about 6.8 billion m3, a significant increase compared to 5.7 billion m3 in the same period last year.
Not only Russia, Europe's total LNG imports in March also set a new record, reaching 14.1 billion m3. In the first 3 months of the year, the EU purchased a total of 39.2 billion m3 of LNG, an increase of 10% over the same period. This reflects that energy demand is still high, despite efforts to diversify supply sources.
An important factor driving this increase is the disruption of supply from the Middle East due to Iran's blockade of the Hormuz Strait. Since the beginning of the year, the EU has only imported about 2.5 billion m3 of LNG from this region - a modest number compared to actual demand. Meanwhile, supply from Africa reached about 4.2 billion m3.
The US continues to be the largest LNG supplier to Europe. In March alone, gas from the US and Trinidad & Tobago reached 8.3 billion m3, up 8% compared to the previous month and also a record high. In the first quarter of 2026, total gas from these sources reached 23.9 billion m3, up 23%.
However, the sudden sharp increase in Russian LNG is putting the EU in a difficult position. On the one hand, the bloc has approved a roadmap to completely end Russian gas imports, including LNG from 2027 and pipeline gas by the end of 2027.
Tightening measures will begin sooner, with the ban on short-term LNG contracts from April 2026 and the termination of short-term pipeline gas contracts in mid-2026.
On the other hand, market reality shows that Europe still cannot completely abandon Russian energy sources, especially at times when global supply fluctuates. The disruption of the Middle East - an important alternative supplier - has forced the EU to flexibly adjust its import strategy.
In 2025, Russia's total LNG exports to the EU decreased by 5.6%, to 20.3 billion m3, putting Russia in fourth place among gas suppliers to Europe, after Norway, the US and Algeria. However, the latest figures show that this position has not yet weakened decisively.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also once signaled that Russia is ready to leave the European market sooner than expected, if the EU continues to pursue a policy of reducing dependence. Moscow may shift supply direction to "more friendly" markets, especially in Asia.
