Ukraine Secures US LNG Imports via Greece Amid Winter Energy Crisis

Fri Dec 05 2025 04:23:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Vital supplies of liquefied natural gas from the US are set to flow into Ukraine through Greece, marking a significant step in energy security for the war-affected nation.

Following a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Ukraine will import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States via Greece starting in January. This deal comes as part of Ukraine's efforts to phase out reliance on Russian gas, particularly as the European Commission aims to ban all Russian gas imports by 2027.

Vital supplies of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) 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 stated.

The European Commission plans to ban all imports of Russian gas to EU member states by the end of 2027, arguing that revenue from such sales funds Russia's war in Ukraine.

Zelensky, during his time in France, where he also signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets with President Emmanuel Macron, mentioned that deliveries of US LNG would commence in January.

We rebuild each time the Russians destroy but this truly requires time, much effort, equipment, and, regarding gas imports, to compensate for the destruction by the Russians of our own production, he said.

Greece is stepping into the role of an energy security provider for Ukraine, with Mitsotakis emphasizing this during Zelensky's visit. Ukraine has allocated nearly €2 billion to fund these gas imports from European partners, banks, and banks under European Commission guarantees to cover imports through to March.

Since 2015, when it ceased direct purchases of Russian gas, Ukraine has sourced supplies from various EU states, utilizing the Soviet-era Trans-Balkan pipeline that connects Ukraine to LNG terminals in Greece.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that the upcoming winter poses new risks for Ukrainians due to intensified attacks on energy networks, which undermine efforts to maintain warmth in homes, schools, and health centers.