Putin also claimed that Zelensky’s European allies have pushed for demands that are “absolutely unacceptable."

So-called transshipment services — whereby ports offer long-term "slots" for liquefied natural gas (LNG) suppliers to unload or reload cargoes for shipping elsewhere — are still legal under the newly agreed EU-wide ban on Russian gas imports, provided the gas they contain is not from Russia.

The European Union agreed Wednesday to phase out Russian natural gas imports by late 2027 as part of an effort to end the bloc’s decade-long dependency on Russian energy.

The European Union has reached a deal to phase out Russian gas faster than originally planned, a move that aims to finally sever ties between the bloc and its once-primary energy supplier.

Diplomatic tensions escalate as Putin reportedly dismisses peace terms while former Russian president warns EU over frozen assets amid ongoing Ukraine conflict.

European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal Wednesday to ban all imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027, as the bloc seeks to choke off key funds feeding Moscow's war chest. The timeline must still get final approval from the European Parliament and member states.

Yuri Ushakov said the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff was "very useful, constructive, and highly substantive."