Author: Konrad Schuller | FAZ
Source: Sanctions against Russia: How Europe finances Putin's war
Publication Date: 25.10.2025
Summary Reading Time: 3 minutes
Executive Summary
The EU will only end imports of Russian liquefied gas from January 2027, even though it is thereby directly financing Putin's war machinery. Europe remains Russia's largest liquefied gas customer and enables Putin 14 more months of war financing. The paradox: The EU simultaneously finances both perpetrator and victim of the Ukraine war. Recommendation for action: Immediate stop of Russian gas imports instead of further delay until 2027.
Core Issue & Context
The EU plans an import ban on Russian liquefied gas from January 2027, even though it has been continuously co-financing Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine since 2022. Despite an 89% decline in total imports from Russia, liquefied gas revenues remain Moscow's largest foreign exchange source from Europe.
Key Facts & Figures
• 89% decline in EU total imports from Russia since 2022, but liquefied gas imports continue to rise
• 34 billion euros in revenue for Yamal LNG in the first three years of war
• 8.15 billion euros in tax revenue for the Russian state from this
• First half of 2025: Significantly more Russian liquefied gas to Europe than in the previous year
• Germany: 50 planned deliveries in 2025 worth 2 billion euros
• EU remains largest customer ahead of China and Japan
Stakeholders & Those Affected
Main importers: France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany
Affected industries: Energy sector, chemical industry, gas suppliers
State enterprises: SEFE (formerly Gazprom Germania) as Germany's largest importer
Geopolitical actors: NATO partners who simultaneously finance war opponents
Opportunities & Risks
Risks:
- 14 more months of war financing until the planned stop in 2027
- Financing of an estimated 9.5 million artillery shells or 271,000 long-range drones
- Democracy endangerment through citizen dissatisfaction due to dual financing
- Strengthening of Putin-friendly parties like the AfD
Opportunities:
- Drastic reduction of Russian war revenues from 2027
- Energy independence from authoritarian regimes
- Moral credibility of EU sanctions policy
Relevance for Action
Critical timespan: Still 14 months of direct war financing
Strategic question: Why not immediate stop instead of delay until 2027?
Political pressure: Growing criticism of simultaneous financing of perpetrator and victim
Economic consideration: Short-term energy security vs. long-term geopolitical stability
Bibliography
Primary source:
Supplementary sources:
- EU imposes new Russia sanctions on liquefied gas - Tagesschau
- Greenpeace study: Russian LNG exports finance Ukraine war - Reuters
- Germany continues to import Russian gas via SEFE - Handelsblatt
Verification status: ✅ Facts checked on 25.10.2025