TTF up by 2% after EU approves 19th package of Russia sanctions

European natural gas futures climbed 2% to €32.4 per megawatt-hour after the EU approved a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure, aligning with a renewed US effort to curb Moscow’s war capabilities in Ukraine.

The measures include a ban on Russian LNG imports from 2027, tighter restrictions on transactions with two major Russian oil firms, and sanctions on 117 “shadow fleet” vessels used to evade earlier sanctions.

The move follows US actions against Rosneft and Lukoil after a planned Trump-Putin summit was canceled, and similar measures recently imposed by the UK. Despite these developments, European gas prices remain within their recent range as traders await clearer signals about winter demand.

Ample fuel supplies and solid storage levels are helping offset cold weather concerns.

EU gas storage stands at 82.8% overall, with Italy at 94.2%, France at 92.7%, and Germany at 75.4%, supported by strong LNG inflows and China’s higher intake of Russian gas.