Ukraine's Naftogaz has signed an agreement with SOCAR to import natural gas from Azerbaijan via the Trans-Balkan route, including Romania.

Naftogaz has announced the signing of the first natural gas import agreement with SOCAR of Azerbaijan, with deliveries to transit Romania. This is the first test delivery on the trans-Balkan route, with a small volume, but considered an important strategic step for long-term cooperation. Ukraine, hit by Russian attacks that have cut domestic gas production, is looking to diversify energy sources and avoid Russian gas, as it will use LNG terminals in Greece and pipelines from Romania and Azerbaijan.