Europe imported a record 142bn cubic metres of liquefied natural gas in 2025, marking a 28% increase from the previous year as the continent continued reducing dependence on Russian pipeline gas.

Higher LNG imports have come at a cost, with European gas prices remaining elevated compared with pre-war levels. 

LNG flows from European terminals into the EU gas transportation system exceeded the 2024 total, according to estimates based on Gas Infrastructure Europe data, state news agency TASS reported on January 2.

December alone saw record imports of 12.7bn cubic metres, up 2% from November and 21% higher than December 2024, the data showed.

The surge in LNG imports reflects Europe's ongoing efforts to diversify energy supplies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. European countries have accelerated construction of LNG import terminals and signed long-term supply contracts with producers including the United States, Qatar and Australia.

The increased LNG capacity has allowed Europe to replace much of the Russian pipeline gas that previously supplied the continent. Before the war, Russia provided approximately 40% of Europe's natural gas, primarily through pipelines including Nord Stream.

European gas storage facilities entered 2025 at high levels following the record LNG imports, providing a buffer against potential supply disruptions. The continent's ability to absorb large LNG volumes has been enhanced by new floating storage and regasification units commissioned across multiple countries.

The US emerged as Europe's largest LNG supplier during 2024-2025, with American exports playing a crucial role in meeting European demand. Qatar and other producers in the Middle East and Africa also increased shipments to European markets.