This week, Ukraine confirmed the start of gas imports via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline. This is a turning point towards energy independence.
By importing via the Trans-Balkan pipeline, Ukraine will ignore supplies from Russia and allow Ukraine to access gas from European sources, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported via Greece and Azerbaijani gas from the Trans Adriatic pipeline.
The Trans-Balkan pipeline, which used to supply Russian gas to the south, has now been reversed to bring gas not originating from Russia north to Ukraine.
A source from the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said that the Trans-Balkan gas corridor will allow imports of up to 1 billion cubic meters of gas before October, with volumes in June expected to reach 100 million cubic meters.
Ukraine has stopped transiting Russian gas to Europe since the end of 2024, deciding not to extend the long-standing gas transit agreement with Gazprom. Kiev insists that no Russian gas is used in the new Trans-Balkan corridor.
The European Commission has supported such efforts as part of the RE PowerEU strategy to end the bloc's dependence on fossil fuels from Russia.
Energy industry reports said that monthly capacity auctions on the Trans-Balkan route have been successfully implemented, reflecting signs that the market for this route is truly attracting commercial interest and is ready to operate.
The activation of the gas pipeline is seen as a geopolitical and infrastructure achievement, strengthening Ukraine's energy sovereignty in the context of the conflict.
After the gas transit through Ukraine ended, Russia increased gas exports to Europe via the TurkStream pipeline. In May 2025, Russian gas exports via pipeline to Europe increased by 10% compared to April, reaching an average of 46 million m3/day.
The opening of the Trans-Balkan route is the result of cooperation between the five national gas transmission network operators of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.
The gas flowing through the Trans-Balkan route will flow north from the Greek LNG port of Revithoussa through Southeast Europe to Ukraine, completely without going through Russian supply channels.
The corridor is supported by preferential tariffs 25% lower than the standard and 46% lower for gas shipments to Ukraine.
This joint initiative is seen as not only helping Ukraine access more diverse energy sources but also strengthening the region's security and energy resilience as it enters the 2025-2026 heating season.
