Greece and Ukraine have entered a new era of strategic cooperation, sealing key energy agreements that strengthen Ukraine’s energy security and elevate Greece’s role as a regional energy hub. The accords—DEPA–Naftogaz for U.S. LNG supply and GEK TERNA–UkrHydroEnergo for a major pumped-storage project—reshape the energy map of Eastern Europe at a critical geopolitical moment.
Strengthening Ukraine’s Energy Supply Through U.S. LNG
During a high-level meeting in Athens between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, DEPA and Naftogaz signed a declaration of intent for the supply of U.S. liquefied natural gas. Deliveries are scheduled from December 2025 to March 2026, aiming to secure Ukraine’s energy needs through the winter season.
The agreement, witnessed by senior officials from Greece, Ukraine, and US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, underscores an emerging trilateral cooperation. LNG shipments will move through the developing Vertical Energy Corridor, a supply route extending from the Greek south to Ukraine, designed to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
The supply will utilize “Route 1,” jointly operated by transmission system operators in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Greece as a Strategic Energy Hub
Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the operational readiness of the Vertical Corridor, which runs through Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. Key infrastructures—including the LNG terminals in Alexandroupolis and Revithoussa -enable Greece to function as a pivotal gateway for U.S. LNG into Central and Eastern Europe.
This shift aligns with the European Union’s broader goal of diversifying energy imports and phasing out dependence on Russian natural gas. For Ukraine, the corridor provides a reliable and politically secure supply line amid continuing wartime disruptions.
New Pumped-Storage Project to Boost Ukraine’s Grid Stability
A second major agreement was signed between Greece’s GEK TERNA and Ukraine’s UkrHydroEnergo. The companies will collaborate on the construction of a large-scale pumped-storage energy facility in Ukraine, a project expected to significantly enhance the stability and resilience of the country’s power grid.
Pumped-storage plants are vital for balancing electricity supply and demand, especially under the stresses of wartime damage to energy infrastructure. The project represents a long-term investment in Ukraine’s energy independence and reconstruction.
Wider Strategic Impact
Beyond energy security, the agreements reflect Greece’s intention to play a larger role in Ukraine’s recovery. Athens has signaled readiness to support reconstruction efforts through Greek companies in construction, digitalization, healthcare, and cultural heritage protection.
Greece continues to back Ukraine’s EU accession process and maintains full alignment with the EU sanctions regime against Russia.
A New Regional Energy Landscape
The dual agreements mark a strategic shift in Eastern Europe’s energy architecture. By linking U.S. LNG supplies to Ukraine and launching an advanced energy-storage project, Greece and Ukraine are laying the foundations for a more secure, interconnected, and resilient regional energy system.
As Europe accelerates its transition away from Russian energy dependence, initiatives like these will define the geopolitical and economic landscape for years to come.