Ukraine is interested to access regional LNG terminals - Makogon

Ukraine is interested in gaining direct access to available LNG terminals in the region, in particular to Polish Swinoujsce and Croatian Krk. This was announced during the Budapest LNG Summit by Serhiy Makogon, General Director of Gas TSO of Ukraine (GTSOU).

"It's a completely different gas, different molecules, it's not Russian," Makogon said. The head of the Ukrainian GTS operator said that negotiations are underway with Hungarian and Polish counterparts to access LNG projects.

According to Makogon, the gas that Ukraine currently receives from Poland and Slovakia goes virtually and depends on transit. In order to ensure the possibility of uninterrupted gas supplies to Ukraine, it is necessary, in particular, to extend the gas pipeline from Poland.

In addition, Makogon noted that Ukraine is ready to ensure the transit of Russian gas to both the West and the South. "Today we can provide 20 bcm of natural gas per year from Ukraine to Greece and Turkey, but this area is almost not used. The problem that exists there is related to regulation, "Makogon said.

Since the beginning of October 2021, Gazprom has also cut off gas supplies through Ukraine to Hungary. "We do not understand such a decision, which Gazprom justifies with lower tariffs. Hardly can a detour through several countries be cheaper than direct deliveries through Ukraine? ” Makogon commented.

The speaker added that the new route may also be unreliable and that Ukraine had become the largest supplier of natural gas to Hungary dless of the lastets shutdowns. Gas was supplied primarily by private companies.