The European Commission says Nord Stream will stay closed after the war in Ukraine ends. The US and Russia reportedly want to start sending gas through it again. But EU law says Europe must stop buying Russian gas by the end of 2027. This rule does not depend on the war.
Nord Stream runs under the sea between Russia and Germany for over 1,200 kilometres. It is under EU sanctions. Nord Stream 1 stopped working after an explosion in 2022. Germany never gave Nord Stream 2 permission to operate.
The EU has already ended short-term deals to buy Russian gas in liquid form. Long-term deals for this gas will end by January 2027. Deals for gas through pipes will end by September 2027.
Russia supplied around 40% of the EU's gas through pipes in 2021, but around 6% in 2025. Europe now buys much more expensive liquid gas from the US. The Commission says Russia used energy supplies to put pressure on Europe. Most EU countries believe buying Russian gas puts their shared safety at risk.
