Ukraine begins supplying gas to Europe ahead of heating season

Ukraine has shipped around 160 million cubic meters of natural gas to Europe, with Hungary as the primary destination.

This was reported by Strana with reference to data from the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine.

Kyiv has not published any official decision lifting the existing ban on gas exports. The Ukrainian government explained to the outlet that the gas in question is being handled under a so-called customs warehouse regime — a resource that was brought into the country without customs clearance and is stored in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities. No separate government resolution is required for its subsequent export.

In September, the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the possibility of officially permitting gas exports. According to Strana, consideration of the matter was postponed due to disagreements between Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky.

The dispute concerned the conditions under which companies would be allowed to sell fuel abroad. The proposed mechanism limited the opportunities available to private extraction companies.