Ukrainian energy markets have increasingly integrated European supply routes, with Ukrainian customers beginning to import fuel oil from Europe through Moldova and then deliver it to gas storage facilities across Ukraine. This development was confirmed by the Ukrainian GTS Operator, underscoring a shift toward diversified import corridors and enhanced gas storage flexibility. The move reflects ongoing coordination between Ukraine and neighboring countries to secure energy resources while protecting storage capacity for peak demand periods and winter supplies. It also signals a broader trend in regional energy integration, where cross-border movements of fuel and gas are shaped by regulatory changes, infrastructure readiness, and market incentives that favor more efficient distribution paths to Ukraine.
In early 2023, Moldova’s government approved a set of legislative updates designed to unlock additional cross-border energy flows. These changes enabled all market participants to leverage the virtual reverse service at points of entry into Ukraine. The Ukrainian operator noted that this policy adjustment unblocked southern gas routes into Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan corridor, improving the responsiveness of supply to Ukrainian demand and contributing to the reliability of underground storage operations. The policy shift aligns with Moldova’s aim to strengthen its role as a regional energy hub and to support secure, diversified energy access for Ukraine and its neighbors.
According to a statement shared by the Ukrainian GTS Operator, Ukrainian gas transport customers, following the example of their European peers, have begun importing gas from European markets through Moldova and then injecting the gas into Ukraine’s underground storage facilities. This pattern demonstrates how cross-border collaboration and standardized operational practices can expand access to gas resources while preserving the integrity of storage systems, especially during periods of high seasonal demand. The operator emphasized that, starting from the stated moment, Ukraine gained the capacity to perform virtual reverse flows with all adjacent GTS operators across Europe, provided there is resource availability in the system. This capability is designed to reduce fuel use and lower CO2 emissions during combustion by optimizing energy paths and storage cycles, contributing to cleaner, more efficient gas logistics in the region.
Voicing support for broader regional connectivity, Mykola Kolesnik, a former Deputy Minister of Energy in Ukraine, stated that the country is prepared to offer free capacity for the transport and storage of natural gas from the Caspian basin to the European Union. This declaration reflects Ukraine’s ongoing commitment to expanding energy transits and storage access beyond its borders, leveraging its strategic position to facilitate resource sharing while maintaining safeguards for system reliability. Such openness to capacity may help accelerate long-term regional projects, encourage investment in storage infrastructure, and reinforce the resilience of European gas supply chains in the face of evolving geopolitical and market dynamics.