The Vertical Corridor Activated: The Geopolitical Significance of Transporting US LNG to Ukraine and the Strategy of the Hellenic Ministry of Energy
Newsroom
The Signing at Maximos Mansion: A Tripartite Signal
The signing of the Declaration of Intent between DEPA Commercial (Greece) and the Ukrainian Naftogaz, which took place at Maximos Mansion, forms the core of a new energy alliance with clear geopolitical implications. The presence of both leaders, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attested to the high political weight of the agreement.
The event was further elevated by the attendance of the US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle. The participation of the US Ambassador, who later met privately with Zelensky at the Ukrainian Embassy, served as Washington's diplomatic seal. The message is clear: Ukraine's energy security is a matter of national security for the United States, and Greece is the reliable gateway to achieving this goal.
The Content: US LNG for the Difficult Winter
The agreement, signed by the CEO of DEPA Commercial, Konstantinos Xifaras, and his Naftogaz counterpart, Sergii Koretskyi, provides for the transfer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) of United States origin to the Ukrainian market.
Τimeline: The supply covers the critical winter period, specifically December 2025 to March 2026.
Purpose: To ensure a stable energy supply for Ukraine, whose energy infrastructure has been systematically targeted by Russian attacks. As President Zelensky emphasized, this is an "extremely important agreement" that is part of the large energy package prepared for the winter.
DEPA Commercial, through its 40% stake in the joint venture ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE, makes the provision of practical and secure energy solutions throughout Southeastern Europe possible.
Τhe Mechanism: The Activation of the Vertical Corridor
The transfer of LNG will be executed via "Route 1," a multinational pipeline developed within the framework of the Vertical Corridor. This Corridor connects the Transmission System Operators (TSOs) of five countries, creating an "energy bridge" from South to North:
Greece (DESFA, via LNG infrastructure)
Bulgaria (Bulgartransgaz)
Romania (Transgaz)
Moldova (VestMoldTransgaz)
Ukraine (GTSOU)
The utilization of Greek infrastructure, such as the Revithoussa terminal and the new FSRU units, establishes Greece as the primary entry point for the American gas that will feed the Corridor.
The Strategy of the Ministry of Energy: Stavros Papastavrou’s Role
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, the competent Greek minister for the signing, emphasized that the agreement is part of the broader strategy of his Ministry to elevate Greece's status as an energy hub.
This strategy is based on two pillars:
LNG Enhancement: The full utilization of LNG infrastructure for the region's independence from Russian sources.
Energy Realism: The simultaneous promotion of the Green Transition (where Greece is a leader) and the search for domestic hydrocarbons (ExxonMobil, Chevron exploration), aiming for full energy autonomy post-2030.
The success of the agreement with Ukraine is tangible proof that Greece, under this strategy, is transforming into a vital security factor and energy node for the wider region.
The Athens-Kyiv energy agreement, with robust US backing, sends a clear message to Europe: energy solidarity is the path to independence.
Greece, as a geopolitical crossroads and gateway, assumes a role that extends beyond its narrow national borders. Securing stable and diversified natural gas flows for Ukraine during the winter is an act of support, while simultaneously bolstering Athens' influence over European and transatlantic energy corridors. This agreement is not the end, but the beginning of a long-term plan that aspires to redefine the energy map of Southeastern Europe.
