Kyiv: Ukraine has signed a landmark agreement with Baku to import Azerbaijani gas through the Transbalkan route, marking the first time the war-affected nation will receive gas via this pathway. This historic deal was finalized on Monday, aiming to enhance Ukraine's energy security and diversify its gas supply sources.
According to Anadolu Agency, Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi announced on Facebook that his company has successfully concluded the first gas purchase agreement with SOCAR Energy Ukraine, a subsidiary of Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR. A test delivery is currently underway, transporting the gas to Ukraine through Bulgaria and Romania. Koretskyi emphasized the strategic significance of this development, describing it as a small but crucial step toward long-term cooperation and a testament to Ukraine's commitment to diversifying its energy sources.
Ukraine's Energy Ministry highlighted that the deal resulted from extensive efforts at various levels, propelled by Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk's recent visit to Azerbaijan. Although the current import volumes are modest, the ministry views the agreement as a prelude to long-term and mutually advantageous cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Minister Hrynchuk remarked on the importance of this move, underscoring it as a successful example of energy supply diversification, essential for the country's preparation for the upcoming heating season.
In a separate statement, SOCAR Energy Ukraine confirmed the signing of the trial agreement for gas supply with Naftogaz Group on July 24, 2025, signaling the first-ever transport of Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine. This initiative aligns with Ukraine's broader strategy to diversify its gas sources and fortify its energy security amid ongoing regional challenges.
Since 2015, Ukraine has not purchased natural gas directly from Russia due to longstanding energy disputes and geopolitical tensions. Instead, the country has relied on reverse flows and imports from European nations. Notably, Naftogaz reported acquiring around 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas from European suppliers in early 2025. Furthermore, the expiration of the five-year transit contract with Russia's Gazprom at the end of 2024 marks Ukraine's continued shift away from Russian gas dependency.