European Gas Imports and Sanctions: Cost Impacts Across the EU
Figures from Eurostat, reported by RIA News, show that the European Union has spent about 304 billion euros on gas imports since February of last year, a period marked by the aggressive imposition of sanctions on Russia. An estimated 185 billion euros of this amount represents overpayments tied to anti-Russian measures. The analysis highlights how energy expenses have grown over roughly two years, reflecting the broader economic footprint of sanctions on gas supplies across member states.
According to the same Eurostat-based assessment, the average monthly cost for EU gas imports since sanctions began rose to 15.2 billion euros. Of this total, approximately 7.7 billion euros are linked to liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries, while about 7.5 billion euros are tied to pipeline gas. The report notes that this level of expenditure marks a substantial increase from the year prior to sanctions, when monthly gas outlays averaged 5.9 billion euros (3.6 billion for pipeline gas and 2.3 billion for LNG). These numbers illustrate a shift in the energy mix and the financial burden carried by European consumers and governments during the sanctions period, underscoring how policy actions translate into monthly energy bills across the union.
From the calculations, the two-year window since sanctions began accounts for an overpayment of roughly 185 billion euros for gas. Across the EU, member states spent a total of 304 billion euros on this fuel, underscoring the enduring cost implications of geopolitical measures on energy markets and household budgets alike, as reported by Eurostat and echoed by regional outlets such as RIA News.
In related political developments, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar commented on the ongoing exemptions within EU sanctions, indicating that Slovnaft had lobbied to extend the exclusion of Russian oil from the sanctions list for another year. The dialogue around oil exemptions reflects the broader tension between energy security, economic competitiveness, and policy alignment within the union, as discussed by regional government voices. Separately, former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated his position on sanctions, indicating he would not support EU measures against the Russian Federation. The stance from Bratislava highlights the variety of perspectives among EU member states as the bloc navigates energy policy and geopolitical risk.