Ukraine Poised to Become EU Gas Storage Hub for US Supplies
The Atlantic Council has published an analysis suggesting that Ukraine could become a major storage and distribution hub for American natural gas in Central and Eastern Europe.
According to Stephen Blank, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, western Ukraine's storage facilities near the European Union could support expanded US supplies, provided security and logistical obstacles are addressed.
The proposal comes as Russian attacks increase Ukraine's reliance on imported gas. In 2025, strikes knocked out up to 60% of domestic production capacity, according to Blank's analysis.
Ukraine has already contracted significant amounts of US liquefied natural gas (LNG), including 456 million cubic meters in 2025 and another 381 million cubic meters in the first quarter of 2026. Naftogaz has developed supply routes through terminals in Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and Greece.
Blank argues that Ukraine could become a major gas storage partner for the Three Seas Initiative, helping redistribute American gas across the region and meet seasonal demand. However, he cautions that this would require investment and sustained US institutional support.