Belgium, France, and Spain Paid More for Russian Gas Than They Gave in Aid to Ukraine

According to a report published Tuesday by Greenpeace Belgium, Belgium, France, and Spain have paid significantly more for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports than they have provided to Ukraine in aid since the start of the war. Together with the Netherlands, the four nations spent a combined €34.3 billion on Russian LNG between 2022 and mid-2025, while offering only €21.2 billion in bilateral support to Kyiv during the same period. The report highlights France as the top buyer, spending €12.75 billion on Russian LNG, followed by Spain at €9.5 billion and Belgium at €6.21 billion, while Belgium’s aid to Ukraine totaled just €3.2 billion.

The Zeebrugge terminal in Belgium has emerged as Europe’s main gateway for Russian LNG, importing 3.3 billion cubic meters of LNG in just the first half of the year. This surge comes despite the European Union’s goal to phase out Russian LNG imports, with current import figures on track to hit new records. The Netherlands stands out by providing €8.99 billion in support to Ukraine, surpassing its own €5.84 billion spend on Russian LNG; however, the broader trend shows most Western European countries funding Moscow’s energy sector even as they support Ukraine’s defense.

Greenpeace emphasized that between 2022 and 2024, the Russian state earned an estimated €9.5 billion in tax revenue from the Yamal LNG project alone, potentially funding thousands of tanks, millions of shells, or countless attack drones. The European Union aims to halt all Russian LNG imports by January 1, 2027, with sanctions under consideration that would ban all Russian energy imports by 2026. Greenpeace is urging EU governments to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and increase investment in renewable energy, warning that continued reliance on Russian LNG undermines both climate goals and security objectives.