Ukraine says 'no threat' to gas imports despite funding gap

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine on Thursday said "there is no threat" to the country’s natural gas imports this heating season, pushing back against what it described as incorrect media reports about supply risks.

In a statement on Thursday, the Economy, Environment and Agriculture Ministry said the previously cited need to import 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas covers the entire 2025-2026 heating season, half of which has already passed.

The ministry said the majority of this volume has already been purchased by national oil and gas company Naftogaz, delivered to the country, and consumed by households and businesses.

Regarding the remaining gas expected to be imported in February and March, the ministry said the government, together with Naftogaz and with support from international partners, has secured most of the necessary financing.

“Unmet needs are estimated at $100 million. Active work is currently underway to find the necessary financial resources,” the statement said, stressing that “as of today, there are no threats to gas imports.”

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed authorities to accelerate electricity imports as Ukraine faces a state of emergency in its energy sector, caused by extreme winter conditions and Russian strikes on relevant infrastructure.

Following a Jan. 9 attack, nearly 6,000 apartment buildings in the capital Kyiv were left without heating, with only 16 still lacking access as of Monday evening, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

However, according to Klitschko, renewed strikes overnight resulted in over 5,600 high-rise buildings losing access to heating once again.

He noted earlier Thursday that "slightly less than 3,000 high-rise buildings" in the capital remained without heat supply as of Thursday morning.