Russia’s contract for the transit of its gas across Ukraine expired on December 31 last year and Kyiv refused to consider a new deal. Ukraine’s decision was supported by the European Commission, even though the lost imports are equivalent to 5% of European demand.
It may have come as a surprise to many that, in the middle of a war between the two countries, gas had continued to flow. And although most pipeline gas from Russia to Europe had ceased, in 2024 Europe imported a record 21.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia – 19% of its LNG imports.
Newly published data from Spain reveals that Russia remained its second-biggest supplier of LNG, accounting for 21.3% of Spain’s LNG imports. The US remains the largest supplier of LNG to Europe, accounting for 48% of LNG supplied in 2024.
