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Ukraine launches imports of US LNG via Lithuania

Naftogaz CEO Sergey Koretsky specified that the 90 mln cubic meter shipment was carried out in partnership with Lithuania’s state-owned energy holding Ignitis

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Naftogaz has begun importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States via the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania, the company’s CEO Sergey Koretsky said.

"For the first time, Naftogaz is importing US LNG to Ukraine through the terminal at the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda," he wrote on his Facebook page (banned in Russia; owned by Meta, which is recognized as extremist in Russia).

Koretsky specified that the 90 mln cubic meter shipment was carried out in partnership with Lithuania’s state-owned energy holding Ignitis. Naftogaz will deliver the gas to Ukraine in February-March, he added.

Since January 2025, Ukraine has been forced to import gas from European markets, steadily increasing purchase volumes. At the same time, Kiev has been seeking options to supply US LNG to the country. Ukraine has already received several cargoes via Poland. The LNG was regasified at the Swinoujscie terminal and then transported by pipeline across the Polish-Ukrainian border. In February, supplies via Germany were announced. Koretsky previously said that Naftogaz expects to import 1 bln cubic meters of US LNG this year.

The gas shortage in Ukraine emerged after transit of Russian gas to Europe through the country’s gas transportation system was fully halted on January 1, 2025, following Kiev’s refusal to extend its agreement with Gazprom. The suspension of transit increased Ukraine’s own need for technical gas to maintain pressure in the pipeline system. The situation was further complicated by damage to several Naftogaz infrastructure facilities. The company has been in ongoing talks with Western partners on securing new grants or loans to finance rising import costs.

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