Ukraine Receives First Ever Natural Gas Shipment From US as It Cuts Energy Ties With Russia

A five-year deal for Russian gas flows to Europe, which transit through Ukraine, is set to expire on Dec. 31.

Model of LNG tanker is seen in front of the U.S. flag in this illustration taken on May 19, 2022. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Ukraine has received its first-ever shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, marking a pivotal step in Ukraine’s efforts to cut energy supply ties with Russia amid dismal relations between the two warring neighbors.

The LNG shipment—around 45,000 tons—was delivered to Ukraine via a Greek terminal in the Mediterranean on Dec. 27, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy firm. While the United States supplies roughly 40 percent of Europe’s LNG imports, this is the first direct purchase of U.S.-sourced LNG by Ukraine.