Jun 5, 2025
Ukraine Initiates Gas Route Free of Russian Influence through the Trans-Balkan Corridor.
In a crucial step towards energy independence, Ukraine announced on Wednesday the initiation of natural gas imports through the Trans-Balkan pipeline, avoiding Russian supplies and allowing access to European sources, including LNG from Greece and Azerbaijani gas through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
Historically used for transporting Russian gas south, the Trans-Balkan pipeline has been reversed to supply non-Russian gas to Ukraine.
A source from the Ukrainian energy ministry informed Reuters that the corridor is set to facilitate imports of up to 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas by October, with expected volumes of 100 million cubic meters in June.
Ukraine stopped transiting Russian gas to Europe at the end of 2024, opting not to renew its long-standing agreement with Gazprom. Kyiv has stressed that this new corridor will not include any Russian gas.
The European Commission has backed such initiatives under its REPowerEU strategy aimed at reducing reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Reports from industry sources, including Argus Media and Pipeline & Gas Journal, indicate successful monthly capacity auctions on the Trans-Balkan route, demonstrating commercial interest and operational readiness.
The corridor’s activation marks a significant geopolitical and infrastructure milestone, bolstering Ukraine’s energy sovereignty amid ongoing conflict and instability.
Following the halt of gas transit via Ukraine, Russia has boosted its gas exports to Europe through the TurkStream pipeline, with exports rising by 10% in May 2025 compared to April, averaging 46 million cubic meters daily.
The Trans-Balkan route's launch results from coordinated efforts among five national gas transmission operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, facilitating gas flow from Greece’s Revithoussa LNG terminal through southeastern Europe into Ukraine, entirely bypassing Russian channels. With an annual capacity of up to 1 billion cubic meters, the corridor benefits from reduced tariffs—25% lower than standard rates, and 46% lower for deliveries to Ukraine.
According to the Kyiv Post, this joint initiative improves Ukraine’s access to diverse energy sources and enhances regional energy security heading into the 2025–26 winter heating season.
Historically used for transporting Russian gas south, the Trans-Balkan pipeline has been reversed to supply non-Russian gas to Ukraine.
A source from the Ukrainian energy ministry informed Reuters that the corridor is set to facilitate imports of up to 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas by October, with expected volumes of 100 million cubic meters in June.
Ukraine stopped transiting Russian gas to Europe at the end of 2024, opting not to renew its long-standing agreement with Gazprom. Kyiv has stressed that this new corridor will not include any Russian gas.
The European Commission has backed such initiatives under its REPowerEU strategy aimed at reducing reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Reports from industry sources, including Argus Media and Pipeline & Gas Journal, indicate successful monthly capacity auctions on the Trans-Balkan route, demonstrating commercial interest and operational readiness.
The corridor’s activation marks a significant geopolitical and infrastructure milestone, bolstering Ukraine’s energy sovereignty amid ongoing conflict and instability.
Following the halt of gas transit via Ukraine, Russia has boosted its gas exports to Europe through the TurkStream pipeline, with exports rising by 10% in May 2025 compared to April, averaging 46 million cubic meters daily.
The Trans-Balkan route's launch results from coordinated efforts among five national gas transmission operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, facilitating gas flow from Greece’s Revithoussa LNG terminal through southeastern Europe into Ukraine, entirely bypassing Russian channels. With an annual capacity of up to 1 billion cubic meters, the corridor benefits from reduced tariffs—25% lower than standard rates, and 46% lower for deliveries to Ukraine.
According to the Kyiv Post, this joint initiative improves Ukraine’s access to diverse energy sources and enhances regional energy security heading into the 2025–26 winter heating season.