The European Commission says Nord Stream will stay closed after the war in Ukraine. This gas route runs under the sea between Russia and Germany. The US and Russia reportedly want to start gas deliveries again.
Nord Stream is under EU sanctions. An explosion stopped Nord Stream 1 from working in 2022. Germany never gave Nord Stream 2 permission to operate. The Commission says Russia used its energy supplies to put pressure on Europe.
EU countries have also approved a law to stop buying Russian gas by the end of 2027. This law does not depend on when the war ends. Short agreements to buy Russian gas in liquid form have already ended. Longer agreements will end by January 2027. Agreements for gas through pipes will end by September 2027.
Russian gas made up about 40% of Europe's gas supplies through pipes in 2021. That fell to about 6% in 2025. Europe now buys much more American gas in liquid form, but it costs more. Most EU countries think buying Russian gas brings too much danger to their shared safety.
