Greece and Ukraine signed an agreement Sunday to facilitate the transport of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Ukraine, a deal officials said will strengthen regional energy security as Ukraine braces for a difficult winter.
The signing ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and US Ambassador Kimberly Gillfoyle, formalized a declaration of intent between Greece’s DEPA Commerce and Ukraine’s Naftogaz. The plan calls for US LNG deliveries routed through Greece from December 2025 to March 2026 via the so-called Vertical Corridor.
Greek officials said the agreement will help ensure steady gas flows to Europe and provide “critical support” to Ukraine. Supplies are expected to begin in January.
In a joint press conference after the signing, Mitsotakis said, “We stand with the Ukrainian people. Greece sided from the first moment with the defender against an attack that violates every principle of sovereignty and international law.” He emphasized that “the inviolability of borders is nonnegotiable” and described Greece as a “steady ally” of Kyiv. The prime minister also highlighted a “new secure energy artery from south to north” through the Vertical Corridor and pledged Greek support for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Greece’s “continuous, substantive and multifaceted support,” noting that Ukraine faces daily attacks on critical infrastructure. He thanked Greece and the US for their role in the energy agreements and urged continued pressure on Russia, saying, “Russia deserves further sanctions, and we are very pleased with Greece, which supports our initiatives to return abducted children and prisoners of war.”
Zelenskyy arrived in Athens earlier in the day for high-level meetings focused on energy cooperation and continued Greek support. He was first received by President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas, who reaffirmed Greece’s assistance on political, economic, energy and humanitarian fronts. The Ukrainian leader later met with Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion before the signing.