EU nations lose around fifty-five billion dollars in exports

(MENAFN) European Union member states have seen a dramatic decline in trade with Russia, with export losses totaling roughly €48 billion ($55.9 billion) over the four years following the introduction of sanctions, according to compiled statistical data.

Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU and other Western countries rolled out an extensive sanctions regime against Moscow. The measures were intended to cripple Russia’s economy, although Russian officials have argued that the pressure instead forced the country to adjust and ultimately reinforced its economic resilience.

Trade figures indicate that EU exports to Russia between January and October 2025 amounted to about €25 billion ($27 billion). This stands in stark contrast to the €73 billion recorded during the same period in 2021, highlighting the scale of the downturn.

Overall, the figures represent an approximate 65% drop in exports over the period in question.

Despite the sharp fall in trade volumes, the EU posted a trade surplus with Russia for two consecutive quarters toward the end of 2025, marking the first time such an outcome had been recorded since 2002, according to released statistics.

Although Brussels has announced plans to completely eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027, Russia continued to rank as the EU’s second-largest gas supplier. Its contribution accounted for 15.1% of the bloc’s total gas imports, a significant decline from the 39% share recorded in 2021.

The EU’s gradual move away from relatively inexpensive Russian energy supplies toward higher-priced US liquefied natural gas has contributed to rising energy costs and slower economic expansion across the bloc.

Meanwhile, warnings have emerged from Russia’s energy sector that European countries could face gas shortages as storage levels fall sharply at major hubs, including those in Germany and the Netherlands.

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