US builds new 'gas corridor' to help Ukraine and EU
The corridor from Greece to Ukraine is becoming a strategic energy route, helping Europe reduce its dependence on Russia and supporting Kiev to overcome the upcoming winter energy crisis.
In a move to tighten Moscow’s financial resources and strengthen the transatlantic energy partnership, senior US officials are calling on European partners to accelerate the transition away from Russian gas. The proposed solution is to expand the regional pipeline network and increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, according to the Sabah Daily (Turkey) and AP on November 7.
The call came at a conference in Greece hosted by the Washington DC-based think tank Atlantic Council, which attracted more than 80 US officials, EU energy ministers and top LNG executives. Also in attendance were US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
America is confident it can fill the gap.
As President Donald Trump continues to leverage America's position as the world's top LNG exporter to tie energy supplies to trade with Europe and efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made an ambitious statement: "The United States alone could replace all of Russia's gas in Europe with what we're building."
The announcement underscores the US’s strong intent to fill the gap left by Russia’s supply cuts after the conflict in Ukraine erupted in 2022. Since then, EU members have rushed to overhaul their pipeline networks to replace Russian gas exports with LNG supplied by the US and other major suppliers.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has welcomed the European Commission's plan to completely cut off Russian gas supplies to the EU within the next two years. He said this would "both drain Russia's coffers and build a growing relationship in the future" between European countries and the US. Mr Wright also stressed Moscow's dependence: "They have five pipelines to Europe and one to China," referring to Russia.
With Europe already the US’s largest LNG market, the focus is now shifting to the so-called Vertical Corridor, a new, strategic north-south gas route linking Greece with Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Export terminals near Athens and northern Greece will be key to receiving LNG.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has asserted his country's geographical advantage: "Greece is fortunate to have a very unique geographical position and we are a natural entry point for US LNG into Europe."
U.S. and European officials have said the corridor could play a key role in helping Ukraine counter Russia’s continued attacks on Kiev’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s largest private energy producer, DTEK, officially launched the corridor earlier this year, with the first LNG shipment from Louisiana to Greece.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Athens conference, DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko warned of the serious challenges facing Ukraine. Mr. Timchenko described the meeting in Athens as “extremely important,” and called on European countries and the United States to help provide more gas and equipment to repair Ukraine’s damaged power grid.
"The coming winter will probably be the most difficult winter since the outbreak of full-scale war. We need help. We need help with gas supplies, we need help with electricity supplies," Mr. Timchenko said.
Besides promoting energy cooperation, Interior Minister Burgum also took aim at European climate regulations, saying they could hinder energy partnerships.
In a related development, US and Greek partners also announced additional investments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Specifically, Exxon Mobil, together with Helleniq Energy and Energean of Greece, confirmed new oil and gas exploration plans in the Ionian Sea, as part of the US company's broader strategy to expand its energy capacity in the region.
