Kiev looks east
Ukraine may have swapped dependence on Russian natural gas for reliance on European supply but diversifying import routes is proving challenging
Having eliminated its dependence on Russian natural gas by switching to supply routed through neighbours in the European Union, Ukraine is now looking for alternative sources to strengthen its energy security and bring down costs. Central Asia's producers are top of Kiev's wish list, but getting hold of the gas won't be easy. Ukraine still acts as a transit route for Russian gas to Europe. But it hasn't imported any for domestic use since late 2015, due to the long-running political hostilities that escalated with Moscow's support for pro-Russian fighters in the east of the country, and the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. Instead, Kiev has been buying gas through the EU countries it bo
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
