TotalEnergies secures EU reprieve for Russian gas imports

The exemption shields the French major's Arctic LNG 2 stake from broader bloc sanctions, preserving a key revenue stream as geopolitical tensions persist.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-28 08:46 UTC · 1 min read

TotalEnergies has been granted a special exemption by the European Union, allowing the French energy major to continue importing liquefied natural gas from Russia.

The reprieve effectively shields the company’s interests in Russian LNG projects from the bloc’s broader sanctions regime, which has otherwise restricted European access to Russian energy supplies.

CEO Patrick Pouyanné has previously defended the company’s continued involvement in Russian LNG, noting that these operations generate approximately $400 million annually.

This development is critical for TotalEnergies, which has faced mounting pressure to divest from its Russian assets.

CEO Patrick Pouyanné has previously defended the company’s continued involvement in Russian LNG, noting that these operations generate approximately $400 million annually.

The exemption ensures that this revenue stream remains intact, providing a buffer against the financial impact of the ongoing geopolitical conflict.

The EU’s decision mirrors a similar exemption granted earlier to Greek shipping magnate George Prokopiou, highlighting a pragmatic approach by Brussels to maintain energy security while navigating complex supply chains.