Ukraine Secures Critical Gas Import Deal with Greece Amidst Russian Energy Assault
London, UK – November 16, 2025
In a major strategic victory for its energy security, Ukraine has successfully secured a critical gas import deal with Greece, opening a crucial new supply route just as Russia’s brutal aerial campaign against Ukrainian power and gas facilities intensifies.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the breakthrough on Sunday, confirming the geopolitical lifeline is essential to cover the nation’s heating requirements for the looming winter months.
The deal, which is part of a broader effort to secure nearly €2 billion ($2.15 billion) in financing, directly compensates for massive losses in Ukrainian domestic gas production caused by targeted Russian missile and drone strikes.
The agreement with Greece marks a significant step in diversifying Ukraine’s energy sources and shifting away from its dependence on eastern routes.
The gas is expected to be transported via the Vertical Corridor, a new southbound pipeline network that moves gas from Greece through Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova, effectively creating a resilient artery for non-Russian energy to flow into Eastern Europe.
This move dramatically bolsters Ukraine’s long-term goal of becoming fully integrated into the European energy market, reducing its vulnerability to the Kremlin’s strategy of weaponizing energy supply.
The Immediate Crisis: Russian Strikes on Domestic Gas Output
The urgency of the Greek deal cannot be overstated. Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, focusing not just on power generation—thermal power plants and distribution substations—but specifically on natural gas production facilities.
Analysts estimate that a single set of aggressive strikes in early October wiped out a staggering 60% of Ukraine’s gas production capacity, posing an existential threat to heating supplies as temperatures plummet.
These systematic attacks aim to cause a humanitarian catastrophe by plunging major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa into darkness and cold, breaking the resolve of the civilian population.
Earlier this month, a major Russian drone attack severely damaged one of DTEK’s thermal power plants, causing emergency power cuts in multiple regions and highlighting the fragility of the remaining grid.
By securing gas imports from Greece, a key entry point for global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies, Kyiv is creating a strategic buffer against Moscow’s air campaign, ensuring that despite the destruction of domestic production, the country can still receive fuel through its western and southern borders.
Financing and Broad European Solidarity
President Zelenskyy was quick to assure the nation that the necessary funding for these imports is already secured. He stated that the government has allocated funds, and robust financial support is flowing from international partners to cover the almost €2 billion required.
This financing is being provided by a coalition including European banks under the guarantees of the European Commission, the government of Norway, and American partners, demonstrating a strong, unified European commitment to Ukraine’s energy resilience.
The President emphasized that the agreement with Greece is just one component of a wider strategy. Ukraine is also actively working with partners in Poland to maximize northern import routes and is pursuing long-term contracts with Azerbaijan, which would further diversify its supply portfolio.
These multi-pronged efforts are designed to ensure the nation has redundant, fully financed supply lines to meet the significant energy deficit created by the war. The goal is to maximize the security of import routes for Ukraine for the entire winter and in the strategic perspective for years to come.
The Greek agreement, leveraging Greece’s growing status as an LNG hub in the Mediterranean—with new regasification terminals like the one at Alexandroupolis—not only helps Ukraine but also strengthens the energy independence of the entire South-Eastern European region, further reducing the continent’s reliance on Russian gas supplies for the future.
Headline Points
New Supply Route:
Ukraine secured a gas import deal with Greece, establishing a critical new supply route via the Vertical Corridor pipeline through Bulgaria and Romania.
Compensating Losses:
The deal and associated financing, valued at nearly €2 billion, are needed to compensate for the 60% loss of Ukraine’s domestic gas production capacity due to Russian strikes.
Winter Security:
The agreement is intended to maximize energy import security for Ukraine throughout the crucial winter heating season.
* Financial Backing: The gas imports are fully financed through a coalition involving the Ukrainian government, European banks under EU guarantees, Norway, and American partners.
* Strategic Diversification: The move is part of a broader strategy to secure energy independence, with Ukraine also pursuing deals with Poland and long-term contracts with Azerbaijan.
