Ukraine took an important step on the way to energy independence by receiving the first supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. The gas arrived via a Greek LNG terminal, and the deal with US firm Venture Global runs until 2026. The head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the importance of this supply as a strategic step to strengthen Ukraine's energy security in the face of a war with Russia.
"This is not just a cargo - it is a strategic step," Yermak noted, stressing that despite Russia's constant attempts to destroy Ukraine's energy system, this step is an important achievement for the country. The energy company DTEK, which received the gas, demonstrated a high level of international cooperation, which is important for maintaining energy stability in Ukraine.
The agreement with the American gas supplier allows Ukraine to diversify its sources of energy supply and reduce dependence on Russian gas, which is an important step on the way to energy security.
Against the background of new energy achievements, Ukraine also faces serious challenges, in particular, the possibility of stopping the transit of Russian gas after January 1, 2025. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi notes, the country will not allow the transit of Russian gas through its territory after the end of the current agreement, as it benefits the Kremlin and contributes to its military machine.
Completion of the agreement may endanger not only energy security, but also lead to technical problems that will make it difficult to heat houses in Ukraine. The country's gas pipeline system, one of the largest in the world, could become a target for new attacks because it has been protected by the transit of Russian gas.
Experts note that issues of risks to Ukrainian infrastructure are discussed at diplomatic levels. As Christian Egenhofer, a senior researcher at the think tank CEPS in Brussels, pointed out, the continuation of the transit of Russian gas may become necessary to protect the infrastructure, especially in the winter period, when the load on gas networks increases.
