Greece has become a “window” for Ukraine to receive liquefied gas from the US – The Financial Times

The British Financial Times writes that against the backdrop of the Ukrainian-Slovak confrontation unfolding before our eyes over the extension of gas transit to the EU, Ukraine has found a way to diversify LNG supplies for its needs. Greece has become the "window" for receiving American liquefied gas.

“The country’s largest private energy company, DTEK, received its first cargo via the Mediterranean Sea: a vessel arrived at a Greek LNG terminal,” the publication said.

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“Such cargoes not only provide the region with a flexible and reliable source of energy, but also contribute to further weakening Russia’s influence on our energy system,” DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko told the publication.

DTEK said it had purchased the entire LNG cargo of about 100 million cubic meters. Data from Greece's National Gas System Operator show that DTEK will keep about a tenth of the gas for itself and resell the rest to Greek companies.

“It is significant that one of Ukraine’s largest energy companies is receiving American LNG on the eve of potentially major changes in the gas market,” says independent gas analyst Tom Marcek-Manser.

_{According to the terms, DTEK purchases will continue until the end of 2026In addition, both companies have a separate 20-year agreement to purchase LNG.}

It is noted that Europe receives about 40% of its imported LNG from the United States, but never before has LNG been purchased directly by Ukraine. The delivery comes days before a five-year deal allowing Russian pipeline gas to transit Ukraine expires and weeks before Trump's inauguration as US president.

_{The publication recalls that the pipeline through Ukraine still accounts for about 5% of gas imports to the EU, even though Europe is increasingly switching to importing LNG from the US.}

"Trump, who doubts that his administration will continue to provide military support to Ukraine, has threatened to impose tariffs on European countries if they do not buy more American oil and gas," the British newspaper also recalls.

Meanwhile like пишет Bloomberg, Slovakia threatens Ukraine with power cuts in retaliation for halting gas supplies. The publication quotes the words of the Prime Minister of Slovakia:

"After January 1, we will assess the situation and possible reciprocal measures against Ukraine. If necessary, we will stop the supply of electricity, which is urgently needed by Ukraine during the power outages."

It is noted that Kyiv's decision to refuse transit will cost EU countries 120 billion euros, which will hit taxpayers' pockets.

In addition, Slovakia's budget will lose about half a billion euros in transit fees that were annually received by the treasury thanks to the pipeline on the border with Ukraine.