The European Commission says Nord Stream will not carry Russian gas to Europe after the war in Ukraine ends. Its statement challenges reported discussions between the United States and Russia about restarting deliveries through the underwater route linking Russia and Germany.
Nord Stream is under EU sanctions. Nord Stream 1 has not operated since an explosion in 2022, while Germany never approved Nord Stream 2 for operation. Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said Russia had used energy supplies as a weapon against Europe.
Separate EU legislation requires Russian gas imports to end by late 2027, regardless of whether the war continues. Short-term contracts for liquefied natural gas, or LNG, have already ended. LNG is natural gas in liquid form. Long-term LNG contracts will end by January 2027, followed by pipeline gas contracts by September that year.
Russia's share of pipeline gas supplies fell from about 40% in 2021 to roughly 6% in 2025. However, Europe's move toward more expensive American LNG has come at a high cost. Most EU countries still consider Russian energy purchases a threat to their shared security. Changing the phase-out law would require a new Commission proposal and sufficient support from member countries.
