U.S. Applauds Greece: The Vertical Corridor Reshapes Europe’s Energy Map

In a strategically charged geopolitical moment, Greece emerged as a central pillar of U.S. energy diplomacy during the Munich Security Conference, where senior American officials openly praised Athens’ growing role in Europe’s energy security architecture.

Speaking on a high-level panel on energy geopolitics, Τζάρεντ Εϊγκεν, Executive Director of the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council and adviser to President Ντόναλντ Τραμπ, described energy as a “tool for achieving peace in Ukraine,” pointing to the Vertical Gas Corridor as a flagship example of strategic energy diplomacy in action.

Eagen publicly commended Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Σταύρος Παπασταύρου, who was present in the audience.

“As much as I enjoy speaking at conferences, I much prefer being at an LNG terminal watching cargo arrive,” he remarked, underscoring the tangible dimension of U.S.–Greek cooperation.

 Greece as a Strategic Energy Gateway

The Vertical Corridor — linking Greece to Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and ultimately Ukraine — is rapidly becoming a critical supply artery for American LNG into Eastern Europe.

Eagen revealed that two U.S. delegations visited Athens last year, convening energy ministers from Central and Eastern Europe to coordinate agreements ensuring northbound gas flows to Ukraine.

A new high-level meeting is scheduled in Washington on February 24, followed by further negotiations during CERAWeek in Houston (March 23–27), where additional agreements are expected to be finalized.

“This is a continuous pursuit of deals,” Eagen stressed, signaling sustained U.S. engagement.

 Naftogaz and the First U.S. LNG Deal

Also speaking on the panel, Ολεξίι Ριάμπτσιν, Director of International Relations at Naftogaz, thanked partners for their substantial support and highlighted the strategic breakthrough achieved through cooperation with the Greek consortium AKTOR–DEPA.

He noted that U.S. coordination helped streamline tariff structures along the Vertical Corridor, enabling the first commercial agreement to move forward.

On January 30, 2026, the first sale of U.S. LNG to Ukraine was signed by ATLANTIC SEE LNG TRADE, with supplier BP and buyer Naftogaz.

The inaugural LNG cargo is set to arrive at Greece’s Revithoussa terminal before being transported to Ukraine in March via Route 1 (Greece–Bulgaria–Romania–Moldova–Ukraine), with volumes potentially reaching 1 million MWh, depending on expanded cross-border capacity.

 Energy as Geopolitical Leverage

The acceleration of the first commercial agreement — brought forward from 2030 to 2026 — reflects Washington’s determination to reshape Europe’s energy landscape amid ongoing instability.

Greece, once viewed as a peripheral energy player, is now emerging as a central transit hub in a broader geopolitical realignment. Through the Vertical Corridor, Athens strengthens not only its strategic relevance but also Ukraine’s energy resilience during a critical winter period.

In today’s Europe, energy is no longer merely a commodity — it is diplomacy, leverage, and power. And in that equation, Greece has firmly positioned itself at the heart of the new energy order.

Source: pagenews.gr