Ukraine turns to Mozambique for gas as war strains energy supply

Ukraine is exploring a new energy partnership with Mozambique as it works to rebuild its gas reserves after years of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday.

Speaking after talks with Daniel Chapo, Mozambique’s president, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is interested in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the southern African country, signalling a potential shift in Ukraine’s supply strategy as the war continues to reshape its energy needs.

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Before Russia’s full scale invasion, Ukraine relied largely on its own gas production. That has changed sharply. Repeated strikes by Russia have damaged key facilities, cutting Ukraine’s output by roughly half, according to central bank governor Andriy Pyshnyi.

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Many of the worst affected sites lie close to the front lines in the northeast and central regions, where attacks intensified last autumn. The sustained pressure has forced Kyiv to look beyond its borders to secure stable supplies ahead of future winters.

Zelenskyy suggested the talks with Mozambique could form part of a broader exchange. While Ukraine is seeking energy imports, Mozambique is looking for support to address its own security challenges, including an Islamist insurgency that has disrupted parts of its gas rich north.

“Ukraine is interested in additional energy supplies. Mozambique is interested in Ukraine’s experience and technologies to strengthen its internal security and protect people from terror,” Zelenskyy said in remarks published on Telegram, without detailing the scale of any potential gas deal.

Reuters reported the comments.

Mozambique is already positioning itself as a major global gas supplier. In January, the government and TotalEnergies announced plans to revive a large liquefied natural gas project that had been suspended because of  insecurity. The project, once operational, is expected to produce up to 13 million metric tonnes of LNG each year, strengthening the country’s export capacity.

For Ukraine, the move would add to a growing network of alternative suppliers. Kyiv has not imported Russian gas since 2015 and has instead expanded its access to liquefied natural gas from the United States, routed through terminals in Poland and the Baltic region. Additional volumes also reach Ukraine through pipeline links from Greece.

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Recent data shows Ukraine has already begun storing gas in underground facilities as it prepares for the next heating season. Energy minister Denys Shmyhal has said the country aims to hold at least 13 billion cubic metres in reserve for the 2026 to 2027 winter, in line with levels seen the previous year.

Even so, full details of Ukraine’s gas imports have not been disclosed since the war began, reflecting both strategic caution and the continued uncertainty surrounding its energy security.