While Europe’s pipeline gas flows from Russia have dwindled in recent years, it imported record LNG volumes from the country in 2024. The fuel has been a personal focus of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has vowed to continue the nation’s exports despite mounting restrictions.

The European Union considers the gradual introduction of restrictions on importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and aluminum. The new measures will be part of the EU's 16th sanctions package against Russia for its war in Ukraine,

The US and the UK banned the import of metals produced in Russia in 2024. The EU has so far banned aluminium products, including wire, tube, pipe and foil, which account for less than 15% of EU imports. Russia is the world’s largest aluminium producer outside China, accounting for about 5% of global aluminium production.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that European Union sanctions on imports of Russian primary aluminum would risk destabilizing an already ‘fragile’ global market.

Aluminum ticked higher, with the European Union considering import restrictions on Russian metal and Chinese production growth expected to slow.

The European Commission intends to propose a ban on imports of Russian primary aluminium in its 16th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, European Union diplomats said on Tuesday.

The European Union is considering import restrictions on Russian aluminum and phasing out liquefied natural gas from the nation as part of a new package of sanctions targeting Moscow for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,