The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the European Union’s plan to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027.
The approval marks a significant step forward for the initiative, which now faces just one remaining legal hurdle before becoming law.
The Russian gas ban still requires formal approval from the ministers of EU countries, with the vote expected to take place in early 2025.
Once fully approved, the legislation would establish a timeline for EU member states to end their reliance on Russian natural gas supplies within the next two years.
Meanwhile, India is likely to increase oil imports from Nigeria as its oil imports from Russia are expected to drop to 800,000 barrels per day in December, down from 1.9 million barrels per day in November, according to a Bloomberg report on Monday.
In 2025, India increased its oil imports from Nigeria, according to industry data.
The significant reduction comes as Indian authorities have implemented tighter checks at ports and increased banking scrutiny to ensure compliance with Western sanctions on Russian oil. These enhanced measures were reportedly rolled out in recent weeks.
India has significantly increased oil imports from Nigeria, especially in late 2025, as Indian refiners, prompted by U.S. pressure on Russian oil and geopolitical shifts, turned to West African sources, with state refiners like Indian Oil Corp buying millions of barrels of Nigerian crude (Agbami, Usan) to diversify supplies and meet rising demand.
This strategic pivot aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on Russia and secure reliable energy, thereby benefiting the country as it boosts production to meet these new demands.
LEADERSHIP reports that U.S. pressure in mid-2025 led Indian refiners to pause their Russian oil purchases, creating an opening for other suppliers, such as Nigeria.
Indian refiners are strategically seeking alternative crudes, with Nigerian grades proving attractive due to favourable pricing and grade suitability.
India’s overall demand for crude oil is growing, necessitating increased imports from various regions, including Africa.
African crudes, linked to Brent, became more competitive compared to other grades for Asian buyers in late 2025.
Indian state refiners, such as Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), purchased substantial volumes (millions of barrels) of Nigerian Agbami and Usan crude for September/October deliveries.
Nigeria’s oil output experienced a strong rebound in 2025, partly driven by increased demand from key markets such as India, as it worked towards achieving its production targets.
This move highlights a broader trend in India’s diversification of its energy portfolio and strengthening of ties with African oil producers amid changing global energy dynamics.
