A Ukrainian delegation returned from the United States with energy agreements aimed at bolstering the country’s gas reserves and preventing shortages amid ongoing Russian attacks on infrastructure.
Energy cooperation in Washington
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said they were “positive” developments, shared some details at a media briefing attended by Kyiv Post on Sunday.
Zelensky said that Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, who was part of a delegation in Washington headed by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, met with her US counterpart, Chris Wright, and the heads of energy companies Bechtel, Fluence Energy, GE Vernova, Holtec International, Invenergy, Jacobs, Mercuria, Parsons, TechMet USA, Venture Global, and Westinghouse Electric Company.
Among other things, they discussed joint nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, he said.
US support to replace Russian gas
Zelensky said that agreements have been reached on American LNG supplies.
“As for US LNG, there is an agreement that, if we choose, it will be supplied through Poland via the Polish terminal,” he said.
He stressed that American companies are interested in entering the Ukrainian market:
“ One example is a bilateral gas project with the United States – one option under consideration is the construction of an LNG terminal in Odesa. This entire gas project has been presented both at the White House and to American companies. It is a major gas project. We can speak about American gas. They see that we have the largest number of gas storage facilities and an established network. They are interested.”
The United States is seeking to secure Europe’s energy market and reduce reliance on Russian gas, Zelensky said.
“The Americans will, in any case, completely drive out Russian gas from Europe. We must understand – regardless of various agreements – that Russia has lost Europe to the Americans. And, undoubtedly, Ukraine has helped,” the president said.
Another example, he said, is an oil project now under consideration:
“There is also great interest from the United States of America. We have the Odesa-Brody pipeline, and the US wants to ensure zero Russian gas and zero Russian oil. That is the approach.”
Ukraine prepares for potential shortages
Addressing concerns about Russian attacks on gas infrastructure, Zelensky said:
“From what I have seen, the gas issue will be resolved. We understand where to source gas in the amount of about $2 billion – if needed. We estimate that in a very difficult situation, Ukraine must be prepared to find gas worth $2 billion. We have already secured part of the tranches.”
Support has been confirmed from several countries, including the US, Slovakia, Greece, and Azerbaijan, he said.
“We can also obtain additional gas from Greece; we have reached an agreement with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. There is also understanding and agreements with other countries – including Azerbaijan. Everyone is working on this.”
Slovakia supports Ukraine on gas issues
Zelensky said that Slovakia is an important energy partner, and that the prime minister had reached “positive agreements” with Slovakia.
“As for Slovakia’s reduction of the gas transit tariff – it seems to me that this has already been agreed upon between the prime ministers of our two countries.”
Last week in the eastern Slovak city of Košice, Ukrainian-Slovak government consultations were held including Svyrydenko and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Following the talks, Slovakia announced that it would provide Ukraine with a new package of energy equipment worth €500,000 ($583,000).
“We appreciate the decision to allocate additional funds to support our energy infrastructure and also to support shelters,” Svyrydenko said at a joint press conference with Fico on Oct. 17. “Our energy teams have achieved significant success in specific projects for the mutually beneficial use of our country’s infrastructure. I believe that coordination on energy security cooperation will help us get through this difficult period.”
“Slovakia is one of the key routes for the supply of natural gas from the EU to Ukraine. It is in our mutual interest to develop this,” Naftogaz Chairman Serhiy Koretsky said.
Russia attacks on gas continue
Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities as the heating season approaches.
On Oct. 16, Russian troops launched a drone and missile strike on DTEK and Naftogaz energy company infrastructure in the Poltava region, temporarily shutting down production. Earlier attacks hit in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv, Koretsky wrote on Facebook.
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, there’ve been six attacks on gas infrastructure since the beginning of October, involving dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones.
“There have been hits and damage, and some facilities have been temporarily taken out of service,” the ministry reported.