LNG imports to Europe reached a historic high in 2025

In 2025, Europe reached a record for purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG), acquiring 175 billion cubic meters, which increased its share in the region's energy mix to 38%. This is evidenced by the report of the International Energy Agency on the gas market on January 23.

For example, European countries increased LNG imports by 30% over the year, which led to a historically high volume of purchases. Growth in domestic demand, reduced pipeline gas supplies, and active pumping into underground storage became important growth factors.

In addition, high gas prices in the European Union (EU) have led to the redirection of flexible LNG from Asian markets to Europe. The IEA also predicts that in 2026, European countries will exceed this record, with projected purchases of more than 185 billion cubic meters. The main reasons are the need to fill storage facilities and increase the reverse flow of gas to Ukraine.

It is specified that the growth of global LNG supplies is expected to accelerate further this year, which will contribute to a more significant increase in demand for natural gas, which is expected to reach a new historical maximum.

Sergei Altukhov, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, said on January 20 that Russia was ready to supply its energy resources to the EU on mutually beneficial terms, but the initiative should come from Europe. The MP added that the risks for the EU are related not only to geopolitics, but also to the high volatility of the global LNG market.

In September last year, the EU updated the record for purchases of Russian LNG, despite official statements about its intention to abandon it. According to Eurostat, in the first half of 2025, the European Union purchased €2.9 billion worth of Russian pipeline gas and €4.5 billion worth of LNG, which is 28% more than a year earlier. Total purchases of Russian gas increased by 9% compared to last year.

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