European Union Countries Increase Russian Gas Imports to Record Levels

European Union countries are increasing their dependence on Russian gas. In the first half of 2026, gas imports from the Yamal LNG facility reached 9.89 million tons, representing an 18% increase compared to the same period last year.During this period, the EU made significant expenditures on Russian gas imports. The total expenditure from January to May was 6.1 billion euros, with the figure rising to 1.5 billion euros in May, the highest monthly payment since January 2025.Countries such as France, Belgium, and Spain are leading the way in LNG imports, while Hungary is at the forefront in pipeline gas. The increase is attributed to factors such as supply cuts in the Middle East and suppliers' desire to increase their stocks.For more information, please see videographic.