Russia no longer controls the European gas market. The United States is filling the niche Moscow has lost and plans to invest in Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists on October 19,

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU countries on Thursday formally adopted a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports. The 27 member states had already approved the package on Wednesday evening after Slovakia dropped its block.

Europe is pushing through a final plan to cut off all Russian gas by the end of 2027, according to information from Bloomberg. Energy ministers from across the EU met on Monday in Luxembourg to agree on the details of a sweeping law that would permanently end the bloc’s use of Russian gas,

Among the projects Kyiv is discussing with the U.S. is a terminal in Odesa to import American liquefied natural gas (LNG).

This year, imports of Russian energy actually increased in seven major European countries after over three years of war.

Any increase in European gas prices as a result of Ukraine’s purchases is nevertheless likely to be mitigated by the abundance of global liquefied natural gas supplies. Russia stepped up attacks on Ukraine's energy grid and gas production facilities in recent days as the war enters its fourth winter.

With gas remaining a key part of Europe’s energy mix, countries such as Austria have been pushing to revive domestic production.

As the EU cuts Russian gas by 2028, Greece stands to become a crucial energy hub and diplomatic bridge in Southeast Europe.