Finland is moving toward a possible ban on imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia starting in early 2025, with legislative decisions likely to be prepared over the course of the year. This was disclosed to a major Finnish daily by Kai Mykkänen, the Minister of Environment and Climate Protection. Helsingin Sanomat reported the remarks.
I won’t pin a fixed date, he said, but there is optimism that next year will bring a situation where the ban enters into force. The government is preparing carefully to ensure readiness and to align with broader European rules.
Gasum, the Finnish state-owned energy company, continues to import LNG from Russia, citing longstanding contractual obligations. The company maintains a long-term purchasing agreement with Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, which requires minimum purchases under the current terms. Gasum explains that these commitments are tied to existing contracts that extend over a substantial period, complicating an abrupt halt without clear transitional arrangements.
In December, the European Union member states and the European Parliament reached an agreement on a reform intended to empower governments to ban Russian and Belarusian pipeline gas and LNG for security reasons. The regulation is expected to take effect in the spring, after which the Finnish government may put forward an import ban proposal. Mykkänen noted that the ban would require meticulous planning. Under the new framework, a country’s government must seek consultation with the European Commission on any LNG import ban and take into account concerns from neighboring nations. The ban would apply for a limited period, designed to preserve energy security while allowing orderly adaptation.
There were reports in December that Europe’s underground storage facilities contained gas reserves at roughly 94.39 percent capacity, a factor that influences short-term supply resilience and strategic planning for the winter season.
Previously, the European Commission signaled plans to reduce reliance on Russian gas by the end of the decade, signaling a broader shift in regional energy policy and market structure. This overarching objective continues to shape national decisions and the timing of import restrictions across member states.