Europe's Russian LNG Imports Drop 43% Since 2022, But Greenpeace Protests Persist
Europe has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian LNG since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, with imports dropping by about 43%. However, Greenpeace has launched a protest to highlight Europe's continued funding of Russia through LNG imports. Meanwhile, Belgium has shut down its Tihange 1 nuclear reactor after 50 years of operation.
In 2025, Russia's share in EU gas imports stands at about 12%, with Algeria now being the largest partner at 27%. This shift comes after several European countries, including Germany, sharply decreased their imports. Between 2022 and mid-2025, France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands imported a combined €34.2 billion worth of LNG from Russia.
Greenpeace Belgium recently blocked the Fluxys LNG terminal in Zeebrugge to expose Europe's continued funding of Russia. They calculated that Belgium's tax revenue from Russian LNG could fund millions of artillery shells, hundreds of thousands of strike drones, and/or thousands of battle tanks. Meanwhile, Belgium spent less on aid to Ukraine than it did on Russian LNG.
The Yamal Arctic LNG project has been a significant source of revenue for Moscow. Since the war began, Russia has received about $9.5 billion (€8.1 billion) in tax profits from this project. Revenues doubled in 2022 and tripled in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2021 levels.
While Europe has made significant strides in reducing its reliance on Russian LNG, Greenpeace's actions highlight that there is still work to be done. Meanwhile, the Yamal LNG project continues to generate substantial tax revenue for Moscow, funding its war efforts.
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