Ukraine needs additional gas imports due to the decrease in domestic production related to recent shelling. The main challenge remains financing the procurement of the necessary fuel volumes.
Andrian Prokip, head of energy programs at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future, noted that the heating season in Ukraine now depends on imports since some gas capacities are damaged. He reported that at this moment, there is no region in Ukraine that can be considered fully protected from energy risks. To fully meet the needs until the end of the 2025/2026 season, Ukraine needs to import more than 4 billion cubic meters of gas.
Despite the challenges related to imports, the financing aspect remains key. Naftogaz announces the need for financing of 1.9 billion euros to continue import operations. Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and the Trans-Balkan route became the main gas suppliers during the summer period. Notably, Hungary and Slovakia are the largest importers of Russian gas in the EU, as highlighted by The Guardian.
Ukraine currently has 13.2 billion cubic meters of gas in its storage, but additional volumes are required to ensure not only this but the next season as well. According to Ivan Herasymovych, CEO of Smart-Holding, the company is ready to quickly resume the extraction of Ukrainian gas if the necessary permits are obtained. This could significantly reduce import dependence, providing up to 20 million cubic meters of gas monthly.
| Country | Gas Import (Summer 2023) |
|---|---|
| Hungary | Main supplier |
| Slovakia | Main supplier |
| Poland | Additional supplier |
| Trans-Balkan route | Additional supplier |
