Dozens of Greenpeace activists staged a coordinated protest at the port of Zeebrugge on Wednesday, blocking access to Belgium’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and calling on the European Union to reduce its reliance on fossil gas. The action targeted shipments from both Russia and the United States.
Greenpeace said around 70 campaigners from 17 countries took part, with teams on the water in kayaks and small craft and others supporting from the quayside. Belgian media reported that the blockade temporarily halted vessel movements to the terminal. Imagery from the scene showed banners and props, including a mock-up LNG carrier with inflatable figures resembling Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
The group framed the action around EU energy and climate policy, arguing that continued purchases of Russian LNG provide revenue to Moscow, while a deeper shift towards American LNG would lock in long-term fossil dependence. In a statement, Greenpeace urged EU leaders to “phase out gas” and accelerate the transition to renewables; organisers said the protest was intended to highlight both the climate impact of gas use and the geopolitical implications of supply choices.
Zeebrugge is one of Europe’s principal LNG gateways. The Fluxys-operated terminal offers ship unloading, transshipment and regasification, with connections into the continental network. Belgium ranked among the bloc’s larger LNG importers in 2024.
The intervention comes amid an ongoing policy debate in Brussels on Russian gas. The European Commission in June proposed a regulation to end imports of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027, with discussion under way in the Council and Parliament. Subsequent reporting suggested the timeline for Russian LNG could be brought forward in response to political pressure, including from Washington.
EU import data underline the scale of the issue. In 2024, the bloc imported more than 100 billion cubic metres of LNG; the United States supplied almost 45% of that total, while Russia accounted for roughly one-fifth. Independent trackers similarly put US market share at about 46% and Russia at 16% for the year.
The value of Russian LNG purchases has also drawn scrutiny. Analyses published in August indicated the EU imported roughly €4.4–€4.5 billion of Russian LNG in the first half of 2025, exceeding the comparable period in 2024, with Zeebrugge cited as a key hub for these flows. Separate research this week estimated that European imports of Russian shipped gas generated billions of euros in tax revenue for the Kremlin between 2022 and 2024.
Industry and infrastructure operators say LNG remains important for security of supply while Europe reduces pipeline dependence and scales renewables. Fluxys describes the Zeebrugge terminal as a flexible “gateway to the European gas grid”, capable of handling diverse cargoes and offering transshipment services. EU institutions note that, since 2021, Russian pipeline gas volumes have fallen sharply, with overall dependency declining as alternative supplies — notably US LNG — increased.
Campaign groups counter that LNG purchases from Russia persist due to gaps in sanctions and long-term contracts, and warn that substituting Russian volumes with US cargoes risks prolonging reliance on gas. Recent NGO and think-tank assessments point to higher Russian LNG volumes in 2024 versus 2023 and highlight Belgium, France and Spain as principal EU entry points from 2022 to mid-2025.
Wednesday’s blockade at Zeebrugge followed similar Greenpeace actions at European LNG sites in recent years. Belgian and international outlets covering the latest protest reported a peaceful operation monitored by police and maritime authorities. By late morning, authorities were working to restore access to the terminal.
The demonstration underscores a policy crossroads for the EU: legislating an orderly exit from Russian fossil fuels while ensuring supply security and avoiding the creation of new long-term fossil commitments. Negotiations on the Commission’s proposal continue, as member states weigh security, price stability and climate targets alongside calls from activists for a faster phase-out of gas.
