Greece and Ukraine Secure Gas Supplies via Trans-Balkan Corridor Starting January 2026

The energy security landscape of Eastern Europe received a significant boost on November 16, 2025, when a pivotal agreement was formally signed in Athens concerning the supply of natural gas from Greece to Ukraine. This crucial development followed a high-level meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The accord marks a vital step in strengthening regional resilience and diversifying energy sources away from traditional suppliers.

The commercial terms of the deal were finalized between NAК "Naftogaz of Ukraine" and the Greek state-owned enterprise DEPA Commercial. This arrangement is specifically designed to facilitate the operational delivery of gas to the Ukrainian market throughout the critical winter period spanning 2025–2026. President Zelenskyy confirmed that the initial shipments utilizing this new route are scheduled to commence as early as January 2026.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, noting that it effectively integrates Ukraine into the broader pan-European energy network. Furthermore, he highlighted Greece's emerging role as a key supply node for American Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) destined for Central and Eastern Europe, a role cemented by the inclusion of long-term US LNG supply agreements within the current deal.

Gas transportation will be executed via the established Trans-Balkan Corridor, officially designated as "Route-1." This vital artery connects the Greek port of Alexandroupolis directly with Odesa in Ukraine. The operational flow necessitates the involvement of the gas transmission system operators (GTS) of five distinct nations: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. The framework for delivering American LNG through this specific corridor was previously agreed upon by the respective GTS operators in July 2025. Notably, the Trans-Balkan Corridor, which historically served as a major transit route for Russian gas, is now being repurposed and reactivated to handle reverse flows originating from the European Union.

The Declaration of Intent signed by DEPA Commercial and "Naftogaz" covers the immediate period from December 2025 through March 2026. This initiative is critically important for Ukraine's energy stability, particularly given the ongoing conflict. According to reports published by Bloomberg, Russian attacks had successfully decimated more than half of the country's domestic natural gas production capacity by October 2025. Consequently, reinforcing this import route forms a core component of a wider European strategy aimed at achieving supply diversification and ensuring energy continuity for Kyiv during the harsh winter months.

The successful resumption of imports through the Trans-Balkan Corridor in November 2025 was significantly aided by crucial financial measures. Specifically, Moldovan and Romanian operators agreed to slash transit tariffs by 50%, a reduction set to remain in effect until April 2026. The substantial financial requirements for the necessary imports, estimated to cover nearly two billion euros, are being secured through European partners and banks. These funds are provided under the explicit guarantee of the European Commission, underscoring the high level of political commitment and financial backing dedicated to ensuring the success and sustainability of this vital energy initiative.