The European Union’s expenditure on Russian natural gas surged to €1.5 billion in May, marking the highest monthly spend in nearly a year and a half.
According to Eurostat data analyzed by TASS, Russia accounted for 18.9% of the total value of gas imports into the EU during the period, ranking second only to the United States.
1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to the EU in the first half of 2026, maintaining its position as the bloc’s third-largest source behind Norway and the US.
This rebound in import value highlights the continued structural dependence on Russian supplies, even as European policymakers have pushed for diversification.
The US remains the top supplier by value, but Russia’s resurgence in the rankings reflects sustained pipeline flows and LNG deliveries that have kept the bloc’s energy costs anchored despite geopolitical tensions.
The data comes amid broader concerns over European gas storage levels, which hit a five-year low earlier this year as injection rates lagged behind seasonal norms. With storage fills reaching just one-third of winter targets by mid-June, the reliance on steady imports from Russia and other key suppliers remains critical for ensuring supply security through the upcoming heating season.
Russia supplied approximately 22.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to the EU in the first half of 2026, maintaining its position as the bloc’s third-largest source behind Norway and the US.
The persistence of these volumes suggests that despite political rhetoric and sanctions, the physical infrastructure and market dynamics continue to favor Russian gas as a cost-effective option for European buyers.