Russia’s pipeline gas exports to Europe plummeted by 44% in 2025, the lowest since the mid-1970s due to the closure of the Ukrainian transit route. The EU aims to eliminate Russian energy imports by 2027, leading to a significant loss for Russia in a once-lucrative market.

Despite a temporary rise in gas flows via TurkStream earlier in the year, total volumes still dropped significantly in 2025 without an alternative westbound route. Russia is pivoting eastward, with pipeline deliveries to China expected to increase by 25% this year, along with surging LNG exports.

The collapse in Russian pipeline gas flows highlights the real and irreversible “energy divorce” between Europe and Russia. What was once a significant portion of EU gas supply now represents a small and diminishing share, signaling a costly but strategic transition away from Russian energy dependence.

Russia is accelerating its shift towards China, with pipeline deliveries expected to increase by 25% in 2025. However, challenges such as pricing and infrastructure differences between Asia and Europe remain, despite record-high LNG exports to China and increased gas shipments via the Power of Siberia line.

The decline in Russian gas exports to Europe reaffirms the “energy divorce” between the two regions, with EU gas supply no longer heavily reliant on Russian imports. While the transition has been costly and politically complex, the shift away from Russian energy is now firmly established.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Russia’s Pipeline Gas Sales to Europe Plunge to 50-Year Low