Europe has stopped importing Russian oil, but gas remains a challenge.

Polish oil refinery Orlen will cease buying Russian oil for its Czech refinery after June 30, according to CEO Ireneusz Fafara. “Today we have freed Central Europe from Russian oil,” he stated.

In April, the Czech Republic announced it had become completely independent of Russian oil after completing the modernization of the TAL pipeline, which transports oil from Trieste, Italy, through Germany to the Czech Republic.

Norway has joined the EU’s 17th sanctions package against Russia, effective June 27, imposing restrictions on 189 shadow fleet vessels, 17 individuals, and 58 companies involved in supplying drones, weapons, ammunition, military equipment, key components, and logistical support to the Russian military-industrial complex.

Meanwhile, German state energy company SEFE (a former Gazprom subsidiary) ordered around 50 LNG shipments from Russian Novatek for €2B in 2025. SEFE clarified that these purchases are under an existing contract that cannot be terminated but may be stopped if an EU-wide ban is adopted.