The Netherlands continues to import approximately 12% of its liquid natural gas from Russia, despite European Union commitments to cease all imports by next year. This revelation comes from a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, which highlighted that the Netherlands is among five European countries still receiving Russian LNG, alongside Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal. Notably, Belgium sourced 40% of its gas from Russia in the first quarter of the year.
Pinpointing the exact volume of Russian LNG destined for the Dutch market is challenging, as much of what arrives at Rotterdam’s harbor is intended for other European nations. Jilles van den Beukel from The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies remarked that the volume was significantly higher than anticipated. Although the current level is a slight decrease from 2025, when Dutch imports from Russia stood at 13%, it is a significant drop from 2022, when Russian gas comprised 34% of imports, coinciding with the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The increase in LNG imports in 2025 is attributed to long-standing purchasing agreements that are difficult to terminate, as explained by climate and green growth minister Sophie Hermans. The IEEFA has urged European nations to intensify efforts to cut gas consumption by investing in renewable energy sources. This shift could potentially decrease consumption by 14% by 2030, effectively reducing demand by 23% and mitigating exposure to price fluctuations and supply disruptions.
The EU has set a ban on Russian natural gas imports via sea containers starting in 2027, with pipeline imports ceasing next spring. In response, European countries, including the Netherlands, have increased natural gas imports from the United States, which now accounts for 77% of imports. However, geopolitical tensions, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-USA conflict, have complicated the EU’s efforts to eliminate Russian gas imports and have contributed to rising prices.
Jilles van den Beukel suggested that the EU might reconsider the timeline for the ban, weighing the risk of further tightening the LNG market, which could drive up costs, against the desire to limit funding to Russia. He highlighted the delicate balance between avoiding market disruption and reducing financial support for Russia’s military activities.