The Netherlands continues to rely on Russia for about 12% of its liquid natural gas (LNG) imports, despite a collective pledge by European Union nations to halt all such imports starting next year. This finding comes from a study by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, which highlights the Netherlands as one of the five EU countries still importing Russian LNG. Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal are also on this list, with Belgium notably sourcing 40% of its gas from Russia in the year’s first quarter.
Determining the exact volume of LNG purchased for the Dutch market is challenging, as much of the gas entering through Rotterdam is intended for other European destinations. Jilles van den Beukel from The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies remarked on the unexpected scale of these imports. Although slightly reduced from 2025, when Russia accounted for 13% of the Netherlands’ gas imports, these figures are significantly lower than in 2022, the year of Russia’s wide-scale invasion of Ukraine, when the percentage stood at 34%.
The uptick in imports observed in 2025 is largely attributed to existing long-term purchasing agreements, which are not easily voided, according to climate and green growth minister Sophie Hermans. In response to continued reliance on Russian energy, the IEEFA has urged European nations to bolster their renewable energy investments. This move is seen as essential for reducing dependency on gas imports, thereby mitigating the risks of price volatility and supply disruptions. The institute projects that Europe could slash its gas consumption by 14% by 2030, resulting in a 23% decrease in demand.
As part of its strategy, the EU is set to ban imports of Russian natural gas via sea containers beginning in 2027 and through pipelines starting next spring. To offset these restrictions, the Netherlands and other European countries have significantly increased their LNG imports from the United States, which now accounts for 77% of their supply. However, the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions between Iran and the USA, which handles 20% of the world’s liquid gas, has complicated matters. This situation has not only hampered the EU’s efforts to phase out Russian gas but has also led to price hikes.
Jilles van den Beukel noted that such developments might compel the EU to reconsider its timeline for enforcing the gas import ban. “I wouldn’t raise my eyebrows if Brussels postponed the date for the ban again,” he commented. The dilemma, he explained, lies in balancing the desire to avoid further tightening of the LNG market, which could lead to higher prices, against the need to stop funding Russia’s military activities.