In brief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new agreement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to import US liquefied natural gas this winter via a pipeline through the Balkans. This initiative aims to mitigate the imminent energy crisis as Russian attacks continue to disrupt Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The European Commission's plans to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027 further highlight the urgency of Ukraine's shift towards alternative energy sources.
Vital supplies of US liquefied natural gas are due to start flowing into war-ravaged Ukraine this winter via a pipeline across the Balkans.
The deal was announced after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Sunday. Greece is working to increase the flow of American LNG to its terminals to replace Russian gas in the region, Mitsotakis said recently.
The European Commission plans to ban all imports of Russian gas to EU member states by the end of 2027, arguing revenue from such sales funds Russia's war in Ukraine.
In Ukraine, which experiences freezing winters, there are fears of an energy crisis as Russia attacks energy facilities. Zelensky stated that deliveries of US LNG would start in January and emphasized the need to rebuild amid ongoing destruction.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine had allocated around €2 billion to cover imports through to March, utilizing both European partnerships and domestic banking systems. Since stopping direct purchases of Russian gas in 2015, Ukraine has been diversifying its sources of energy supplies through various EU states.
This energy agreement underscores the collaborative efforts of Ukraine and Greece, as Zelensky remarks on how Greece is becoming a crucial energy security provider for Ukraine. As winter looms and Russia intensifies its attacks, these immediate steps towards energy independence are critical for the survival of Ukraine's infrastructural resilience.
