Yesterday’s signing of the Declaration of Intent between DEPA Commercial and Naftogaz for supplying American LNG to Ukraine through Greece could be characterized as historically significant. It clearly demonstrates the pivotal role Greece now plays in Europe’s energy security, while ensuring war-torn Ukraine’s natural gas needs for the coming winter. The activation of American interests in major energy agreements recently concluded demonstrates the dynamics our country is acquiring, also upgrading Greece geopolitically. The EU’s decision to ban Russian natural gas imports after 2028 is rebalancing Southeast Europe, elevating Greece to a critical European energy hub and strengthening the country’s stability against Turkey’s threats and challenges to its sovereign rights.
Charles Ellinas tells parapolitika.gr: “Greece’s position helps America tremendously – Guilfoyle at the center of developments”
Energy policy professor and Atlantic Council associate Charles Ellinas, speaking to parapolitika.gr, argues that America has a new strategy for the entire region. According to him, “America has ambitious plans for the region. First of all, it’s exploiting Europe’s decision to become independent from Russian natural gas and LNG and wants to supply Southeast and Central European regions itself. It sees Greece as the gateway for this purpose. Greece’s position helps America tremendously.”
The presence of new American Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle at the Maximos Mansion during the signing ceremony for the new American LNG transport agreement by the ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE consortium, worth approximately 2 billion euros, emphatically seals the Trump administration’s determination to implement all measures draining Europe from Russian natural gas. According to Ellinas, “Guilfoyle is at the center of these developments. She’s a close Trump associate who came to Greece to work more on defense and energy issues. The Americans’ ultimate goal is to have a corridor from Ukraine to Israel. Part of the liquefied natural gas is destined for Ukraine so it can stand on its feet without suffering due to Russian natural gas. The agreement comes as a logical development after the P-TEC Summit meetings at Zappeion. It’s no coincidence that Zelensky came to Greece after P-TEC. This agreement is necessary because when they say they’ll bring natural gas from America to Ukraine, they need Greece’s infrastructure and these agreements. And they’ve already started happening.”
Utilizing the “Route 1” corridor, the United States will channel steady gas flows through the Vertical Corridor to Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, reaching Ukraine. In our country, American LNG supply will be handled by the new company ATLANTIC-SEE LNG TRADE, a joint venture between Aktor and DEPA Commercial.
