Senior US officials urged European governments to quicken the removal of remaining Russian gas from their energy mix by expanding cross-border pipelines and raising imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG), at a ministerial gathering in Athens hosted with the Atlantic Council.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told counterparts that additional US LNG capacity, coupled with targeted infrastructure in south-eastern Europe, could replace residual Russian volumes and strengthen regional supply security. More than 80 US officials joined EU energy ministers and industry executives at the talks.
Burgum said new US export projects could “displace all the Russian gas in Europe,” a signal of Washington’s intention to compete for market share following Moscow’s curtailments since 2022. The stance aligns with President Donald Trump’s use of America’s LNG position to underpin transatlantic trade and support for Ukraine.
Attention centred on the emerging south–north “Vertical Corridor,” a chain of links from Greek LNG entry points through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine, designed to move gas flexibly to storage and power plants and to enable reverse flows. Export terminals near Athens and in northern Greece were highlighted as key components.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his country’s geography made it a natural LNG gateway into Europe, as Athens prioritises terminal capacity and cross-border upgrades to lift send-out volumes. “We are the natural entry point for American liquefied natural gas into Europe,” he said.
Officials linked the infrastructure agenda to winter resilience for Ukraine, citing sustained Russian attacks on energy assets. The corridor was described as instrumental to supplying Ukraine and enhancing regional flexibility during peak demand.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, EU members reconfigured pipeline networks, added regasification capacity and increased LNG procurement to reduce dependence on Russian pipeline gas. US officials in Athens welcomed European plans to phase out remaining Russian supplies within the next two years, framing the move as both a security measure and a basis for deeper US–EU energy ties.
Burgum also criticised elements of EU climate regulation, arguing that stringent rules could delay partnerships and technology deployment required to meet near-term demand and the power needs of data-driven industries. European participants reiterated decarbonisation aims while stressing infrastructure delivery.
Maxim Timchenko, chief executive of DTEK, said Ukraine faces a difficult winter and called the Athens forum “extremely important,” appealing for gas volumes and equipment to repair electricity infrastructure. Earlier this year, DTEK routed an LNG-sourced shipment from Louisiana via Greece, inaugurating Ukraine’s use of the Vertical Corridor.
Delegates outlined immediate priorities: completing upgrades and interconnectors along the corridor; synchronising approvals across Greece, Bulgaria and Romania; and ensuring adequate storage and reverse-flow capability into Ukraine. Organisers described the Athens meeting as focussed on security of supply, infrastructure and investment under the P-TEC framework.
Policy discussions also referenced the EU’s evolving legal framework to end reliance on Russian gas, with member states advancing positions on rules to phase out imports as part of the REPowerEU roadmap. Analysts have noted potential loopholes, including indirect trade via intermediaries, underscoring the need for enforcement alongside infrastructure.
In a separate development on Thursday, ExxonMobil and Greek partners confirmed new exploration plans in the Ionian Sea. The company agreed a farm-in to Block 2 with Energean and HelleniQ Energy, with a 60% stake for ExxonMobil and operatorship to transfer to the US major if a commercial discovery is made. Greek and industry outlets said the move deepens upstream options alongside LNG imports.
Proponents argue that added US LNG volumes, reinforced interconnections and prospective eastern Mediterranean supply together reduce residual Russian leverage in the European market and provide optionality as renewables scale. The Athens sessions set out near-term delivery tasks for the Vertical Corridor ahead of peak winter demand while maintaining the EU objective of eliminating Russian gas from the bloc’s mix.
Main image: Revithoussa LNG Terminal; Source: DESFA
EU to Relaunch Gas Demand Pooling as Bloc Accelerates Exit from Russian Energy
