France, Dec. 4 -- Under the agreement, LNG imports will end by the close of 2026 and pipeline gas will stop by the end of September 2027. These dates mark one of the final steps in cutting the revenue flows that once made Russia the bloc's main supplier.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the move in a statement.

"Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. By depleting Putin's war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector," she said.

Short-term LNG contracts signed before 17 June this year will end from 25 April 2026. Short-term pipeline contracts will stop from 17 June 2026. Longer contracts signed before that date will close in s...