Spain continues to purchase natural gas from Russia despite the ongoing conflict. Data from Enagás shows that Russian imports grew last year, accounting for more than 18 percent of total gas purchases. This places Russia as the third largest supplier to Spain, behind Algeria and the United States, reinforcing its persistence in the Spanish gas system.
The Spanish government has pressured energy companies responsible for Russian gas imports to cut purchases and avoid signing new contracts, but progress has been limited. The administrator notes a lack of legal tools to prevent these trades, allowing companies to continue acquiring Russian gas in volumes they determine. The European Union has not vetoed these imports as part of its sanctions against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.
Decisions affecting foreign trade must align with EU rules. There has been no European Council decision to classify Russian gas imports as prohibited or sanctionable activities, a point emphasized by the vice president and minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera.
Given the current framework, the government cannot block LNG shipments arriving by sea. At this stage, Russian gas purchases are considered a liberalized activity. This cannot be stopped if member states do not possess the authority to impose sanctions, though it would be desirable if that were possible, according to the vice president. The government has stated there is no legal basis to take action on this issue.
Spain is evolving into a globally significant hub for gas resale, a development that stands out in a record year. Earlier this year, Ribera addressed major Spanish gas operators, urging them to halt Russian gas purchases and avoid new supply contracts. A substantial portion of Russian gas relied on Spanish imports and is subsequently redirected for resale to other countries.
No EU veto exists on this point. The bloc has rolled out multiple sanctions packages aimed at strangling Moscow economically and limiting its war financing. Yet, among the measures, restricting Russian gas purchases is not included. After nearly two years of conflict, Spain has become a major buyer of Russian gas, importing it by ship and re-exporting it to other markets.
Within the energy sector, analysts point to several factors behind the steady rise in Russian imports. Companies argue that some imports stem from long-term contracts signed before the invasion, which cannot be terminated without facing substantial sanctions. Still, the sharp increase in the past year suggests new contracts may have been signed to secure supply, even as political pressures mount.
Ahead of the cold season, gas reserves dipped below ninety percent for the first time in eight months. The network of gas pipelines faces ongoing strain as Russia and Europe navigate a delicate balance. Spain, with its large fleet of regasification plants, now plays a pivotal role in the European gas landscape. The country holds a significant portion of the EU’s regasification capacity and serves as a critical conduit for LNG. This positioning has earned Spain attention as a major node in the distribution of gas across the continent, with regasified LNG often mapping to destinations beyond its borders.
Historically, Spain has demonstrated an unusual dynamic in energy trades. It has become a key waypoint for Russian gas, importing by ship and then re-exporting to other nations. The scale of this activity underscores the complexity of energy markets where political sanctions, long-term contracts, and physical infrastructure intersect. As Europe contends with energy security challenges, Spain’s role as a hub in the gas value chain remains a focal point for policymakers, industry players, and observers alike.
The situation highlights the tension between sanctions policy and market realities. Governments must weigh the risks of disrupting long-standing supply agreements against the need to constrain funding for conflict. Markets meanwhile respond to price signals, contract opportunities, and the physical logistics of LNG handling. Spain’s situation illustrates how a country can simultaneously import, store, and redirect energy resources to support its neighbors while navigating EU rules and international relations.
As winter approaches, the balance between supply reliability and political constraint remains delicate. Spain’s gas system, with its extensive LNG import capacity and regasification network, continues to influence energy flows across Europe. The broader question for policymakers is how to align sanctions objectives with practical energy needs, ensuring that security of supply is maintained without inadvertently sustaining funding streams for contested actions. Attribution: energy market analysis, EU policy context, and public statements from Spanish officials.