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Ukraine Imports Azerbaijani Gas via Trans-Balkan Route for the First Time
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![Photo of Maryna Kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
Ukraine has begun importing Azerbaijani natural gas through the Trans-Balkan route for the first time, according to a statement from the state-owned company Naftogaz on July 28, citing its CEO, Serhii Koretskyi.
Naftogaz Group has signed its first agreement to purchase Azerbaijani gas from a company within the SOCAR Group .
“A test delivery is being carried out along the route Bulgaria–Romania–the Ukrainian border. While the volume is relatively small, this is a strategically important step that paves the way for long-term cooperation. It is also another example of diversifying supply sources and strengthening Ukraine’s energy security,” Koretskyi said.
It was reported earlier that between 2024 and 2025, Russian attacks targeted 34 facilities of Ukrgazvydobuvannya , with the most devastating strike in February 2025 causing nearly 50% of total gas production to be lost. These bombardments threatened to trigger a systemic gas blackout.
In June, then-Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated that Ukraine plans to inject at least 4.6 billion cubic meters of imported gas into its storage facilities. As of that month, 2.9 billion cubic meters had already been contracted specifically for storage. These contracts are financially secured.
In May, Ukraine gained the ability to import gas via the Trans-Balkan route—through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with missile and drone strikes.
Previously, a Paris court has approved the enforcement of a $5 billion arbitration award in favor of Ukraine’s Naftogaz Group, paving the way for the company to seize Russian state assets in France.
Naftogaz announced on April 17 that the decision allows it to proceed with implementing a 2023 ruling by the Hague-based arbitration tribunal, which ordered Russia to compensate the company for the unlawful seizure of its assets in Crimea.
