Ukraine needs to import more than 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas and receive financial and technical support from international partners to ensure the stable passage of the 2025–2026 heating season. At the same time, most of the required volume has already been purchased and used, and the remaining funding shortfall is about $100 million.
Source: OBOZREVATEL
The Ministry of Economy explained that this concerns the entire heating season, half of which the country has already completed. Before winter, 13.2 billion cubic meters of gas were accumulated in underground storage facilities, ensuring a stable start to the season. A significant portion of the imported resource has already been delivered to Ukraine and consumed.
According to Minister Oleksii Sobolev, the main financing for imports was secured in advance. Currently, the uncovered needs relate only to gas planned for import in February–March and are estimated at approximately $100 million. The government, together with Naftogaz of Ukraine and partners, is working to cover this shortfall, and there are currently no threats to imports.
A separate challenge remains Russian strikes on gas production infrastructure. In spring 2025, Russia destroyed about 50% of capacity, but within six months it was restored by more than 100%. After new attacks in the fall, about 40% was lost again, but this damage was also promptly repaired with support from partners from the United States and Europe.
Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi reported that over the year the company purchased about 6 billion cubic meters of gas, including hundreds of millions of cubic meters in the form of U.S. LNG. For urgent supplies, Ukraine is cooperating with the Polish holding Orlen, while negotiations on long-term contracts are ongoing.
In addition to the gas itself, Ukraine urgently needs equipment to ensure the stable operation of the gas system under constant shelling — compressors, turbines, and equipment for transporting and storing fuel. The ministry emphasizes that technical assistance from partners remains a critically important component of the country’s energy security.