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 that 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 is currently in France, where he signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets. Amid ongoing fighting, reported Russian attacks have resulted in injuries and fatalities in various Ukrainian regions.
Russia's military claims to have gained control over several Ukrainian villages, despite the ongoing conflict severely impacting civilian life and energy infrastructure.
The impending deliveries of US LNG are significant for Ukraine, especially as President Zelensky indicated that imports of gas to replace lost domestic production will require financial backing from European partners.
The existing Trans-Balkan pipeline, established during the Soviet era, will link Ukraine with LNG terminals in Greece via Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova, ensuring a reliable supply as winter approaches.
The UN has officially cautioned about the approaching winter, stressing the importance of maintaining energy supplies for warmth in homes amidst escalating Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, further complicating the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
