Russia's natural gas exports to Europe via the TurkStream pipeline surged in January, climbing 10.3% year-over-year. This increase comes as Gazprom boosts supplies through the only remaining route for Russian gas to the European Union. In January, the pipeline transported 1.73 billion cubic meters (bcm), up from 1.57 bcm the previous year.

This rise in supply is particularly noteworthy given the broader context of reduced Russian gas flows to Europe. With the cessation of pipeline transit through Ukraine, TurkStream has become essential. Several European nations, including Hungary and Slovakia, depend on this route. Daily flows in January averaged 55.8 million cubic meters.

Despite the increased flows, Russia's gas sales to Europe plummeted in the prior year, reaching a 50-year low. This decline follows a 44% drop from 2024, exacerbated by the absence of Ukrainian transit. Furthermore, the EU is planning to phase out Russian gas imports, including LNG, by 2027.

Looking ahead, the EU's ban on Russian gas imports will reshape the market. The full ban on LNG imports begins in 2027, and pipeline gas imports will be prohibited from the autumn of 2027. This move signals a significant shift in European energy strategy, potentially impacting global gas prices and supply chains.