Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has secured a major energy agreement during a six-hour visit to Athens, establishing a new corridor for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reach Ukraine.
The deal, signed by Greece’s DEPA Commercial and Ukraine’s Naftogaz, positions Greece as a key energy hub for southeastern Europe.
In an agreement overseen by Mr. Zelensky and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, LNG deliveries are set to run from December 2025 through March 2026. U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou were also present at the signing.
The accord activates the "Vertical Gas Corridor," a pipeline network ensuring stable gas flows north from the Greek port of Alexandroupoli through Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova to Ukraine.
Mr. Mitsotakis pledged Greece’s "steady support" and said the corridor provides a "secure energy artery" that expands Europe’s non-Russian supply routes. He stressed the deal was vital to ending the "disguised" re-entry of Russian gas into Europe.
Mr. Zelensky thanked Athens, noting the support was "very important for the winter that is coming" as Ukraine faces relentless Russian attacks on power infrastructure.
Before meeting Mr. Mitsotakis, Mr. Zelensky met with Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas, who reaffirmed his country's solidarity with Ukraine.
A joint declaration issued after the visit committed both nations to strengthening Ukraine’s defense, coordinating sanctions on Russia, and supporting Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.
Greece also pledged to assist in reconstruction, particularly in the port city of Odesa.