Europe has spent €7.28 billion on Russian liquefied natural gas from the Arctic Yamal project in just over eight months of 2026, surpassing the total for all of 2025. This increase comes despite public commitments to reduce ties with Russia, as European ports received 156 Yamal LNG cargoes during this period. As the EU prepares for a ban on Russian LNG imports in January 2027, analysts warn that current spending undermines efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy.