In a dramatic energy shake-up, American liquefied natural gas (LNG) has leapfrogged Russian gas imports to reclaim the No. 2 supplier spot in the European Union during the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from Brussels-based think tank Bruegel.
This marks a sharp reversal from early 2024, when Moscow managed to regain momentum and once again became Europe’s second-largest gas supplier, thanks to a surge in deliveries via both pipelines and LNG tankers. That brief comeback has now fizzled.
With Norway still holding onto the crown—pumping in a robust 23.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) over the quarter—the U.S. isn’t far behind. American LNG deliveries hit 18 bcm between January and March, outpacing Russia’s 10 bcm, the data reveals.
The latest shake-up comes after Ukraine allowed its longstanding gas transit deal with Russia to expire at the beginning of 2025—a move that’s disrupted flows and tilted the scales back in Washington’s favor.
The shift harks back to 2022, when the Kremlin began squeezing gas supplies to much of Europe. In response, the U.S. swooped in, pledging extra LNG shipments to help the EU weather the storm. That promise turned the U.S. into a key player in Europe’s energy mix—until Russia’s resurgence briefly interrupted that trajectory last year.
Now, with geopolitical tensions simmering and gas diplomacy taking fresh turns, Europe’s energy map is once again being redrawn—this time, with American LNG charging back into the spotlight.
