Ten European Union countries have called for the 27-nation bloc to ban imports of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, a document seen by Reuters showed, as Europe debates fresh sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

The EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, while only 3% of its oil is imported from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21.

Pressure to impose sanctions, a raging war and a looming Trump presidency still have not quenched the bloc’s thirst for Russian gas.

Portugal hopes to further decrease the share of natural gas supplies it gets from Russia, Energy and Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said.

European gas inventories are being used up at the quickest pace since the depths of the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Could a mooted ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) make things worse?