EU imports of Russian Arctic LNG surge despite contract ban (euobserver.com)

• EU imports of Russian Arctic LNG rose 17.9% Jan-May 2026 to 8.3 million tonnes.
• 97% of Yamal LNG ships arrived at EU ports despite March contract ban.
• EU proposed 21st sanctions package including oil price cap extension and LNG tanker sale restrictions.

"European imports of LNG from Russia's Yamal project rose 17.9% in the first five months of 2026 to over 8.3 million tonnes, despite a short-term contract ban that took effect in March, according to Kpler shipping data analyzed by NGO Urgewald. Nearly 97% of ships leaving the Siberian site arrived at an EU port. The EU proposed a 21st sanctions package on Tuesday, including extending the oil price cap and tightening restrictions on LNG tanker sales. Urgewald called for watertight enforcement mechanisms to prevent circumvention via intermediaries."