Three EU states spent more on Russian gas than helping Ukraine - Greenpeace report
Illustrative photo: France, Belgium and Spain spend more on Russian gas than on aid to Ukraine (Getty Images)
France, Belgium, and Spain have spent more on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) than on financial aid to Ukraine, according to a Greenpeace report.
From 2022 until June 2025, these three countries spent €34.3 billion on LNG purchases. For comparison, their combined support for Ukraine amounted to €21.2 billion.
LNG imports in the EU
According to Greenpeace, in the first half of 2025, the EU imported 12.8 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG. This is 67% more compared to the same period in 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Until February 2022, Russian gas, including pipeline and LNG, accounted for about 45% of Europe’s energy needs. After the invasion, the EU began actively reducing its dependence on Russian energy resources.
Fuel phase-out plan
The European Commission proposed a full ban on imports of all Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Most EU countries supported the initiative, but Slovakia and Hungary opposed it.
Russian gas has been targeted by sanctions from the EU, the US, and their allies. The restrictions cover transit, investments, and the gradual termination of long-term contracts.
New sanctions
The 19th sanctions package against Russia, which still needs EU approval, proposes banning Russian LNG imports by the end of 2026. This is one year earlier than the initial plans and is linked to pressure from the US and Donald Trump.
To reduce dependence on Russia, the EU plans to increase LNG purchases from the US. In 2021, American gas accounted for 28% of EU imports, rising to 45% by 2024.
Drones and Russia’s revenue
A large portion of LNG supplied to Europe comes from the Russian company Yamal LNG. According to the report, from 2022 to 2024, the company increased revenue by €34 billion and paid about €8 billion in taxes to the Russian budget.
According to Greenpeace, this amount could have been used to purchase 270,000 Shahed drones. In March 2025, about 1,000 such drones were used to attack Ukraine weekly.
Since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, EU exports to Russia have fallen by 61%, and imports from Russia have dropped by 89%. Russia’s share of LNG imports in the EU fell from 22% in the first quarter of 2021 to 14% in the second quarter of 2025. The US has become the largest LNG supplier, providing 54% of imports.
At least eight EU countries still import Russian gas in varying volumes.
