Ukraine has received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment from the United States. It’s a decisive move in its ongoing mission to ghost Russia’s stranglehold on its energy supply.
The LNG cargo, weighing in at a respectable 45,000 tons, made its way to Ukraine through a Greek terminal in the Mediterranean on Dec. 27, according to DTEK, the country’s largest private energy firm. While the U.S. is already Europe’s go-to source for around 40% of its LNG imports, this marks Ukraine’s first direct purchase of the good stuff.
For context, Europe has been cutting the cord on Russian gas imports ever since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, LNG transiting Ukrainian territory still accounts for roughly 5 percent of the European Union’s (EU) imports. DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko is hyped about the new shipment, saying it’s a win for Ukraine and Europe’s energy independence. To Timchenko, this LNG shipment isn’t just gas—it’s a flaming middle finger to Russia’s fading chokehold on Ukraine’s energy system.
In true Putin fashion, the Russian president threw a televised temper tantrum, whining that Ukraine refused to renew a gas transit deal set to expire on Dec. 31. This deal, which ships Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria, is apparently now Europe’s problem. According to Putin, Kyiv is “punishing Europe” by not extending it. Never mind the fact that Russia already has its backup plan in the form of the Yamal-Europe pipeline through Poland.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal made it clear that while they’re open to a new transit agreement for Europe’s sake, re-signing with Russia is firmly off the table. In the meantime, Ukraine has locked in a long-term deal with U.S. energy group Venture Global, which will send them up to 2 million tons of LNG annually for the next two decades.
Oh, and let’s not forget this all happens as former President Trump looms in the background, wagging a tariff stick at Europe for daring to play coy with American oil and gas. Subtle as ever, Don
