Ukraine eyeing Trans-Balkan gas route to boost imports

Nation

26 May 2025, 03:33 PM

Ukraine may soon import natural gas via the Trans-Balkan corridor, in addition to existing routes from Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, with a new discounted tariff product to unlock the costly route, former Energy Minister Olha Buslavets said on Facebook on May 23.

"According to ICIS, 5 GTS operators in the Greece-Ukraine direction (GR, BL, RO, MO, UA) have initiated the ROUT1 product with 25% reduced tariffs, which, if quickly approved by regulators, could ‘unlock’ the most expensive gas import direction to Ukraine," she said.

Buslavets noted a recent rise in gas imports to 19 million cubic meters daily, driven by resumed flows from Slovakia. 

Ukraine’s underground gas storage holds 6.4 billion cubic meters, 30% below last year’s level. 

By early May, Ukraine imported 1.12 billion cubic meters of gas, ten times more than the 118 million cubic meters in the same period last year, due to reduced domestic production from Russian attacks in February. The reason for the significant increase in gas imports was the need for resources for the 2024-2025 heating season.

Naftogaz Ukraine, the sole importer in April–May, plans to import over 400 million cubic meters from Hungary and Poland in May. 

Before the Russian attacks in 2025, production was 52–53 million cubic meters daily, but current levels are classified after partial recovery.

By mid-October, Ukraine needs to have at least 13 billion cubic meters of gas in reserve to ensure the smooth passage of the cold season.

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