Poland is negotiating a new deal to import additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States to help supply Ukraine and Slovakia, according to two people familiar with the talks cited by Reuters. The agreement would mark another step toward reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy while strengthening transatlantic energy ties.
A joint declaration to expand LNG imports is expected to be announced later this week at an energy conference in Athens, one source said. The potential deal could include deliveries of 4 to 5 billion cubic meters of gas annually, roughly equivalent to Slovakia’s total yearly consumption.
The initiative follows a broader U.S. campaign to deepen Europe’s reliance on American energy exports, particularly natural gas and nuclear technology. “This could seal the deal, we could see a seismic change in how Europe gets its energy,” a U.S. official told Reuters, emphasizing Washington’s push to displace Russian supplies.
Strategic shift in Europe’s energy map
The European Union has moved aggressively to phase out Russian oil and gas, unveiling new sanctions that would ban Russian LNG imports by 2027. Yet several member states, including Slovakia and Hungary, still rely heavily on Russian energy despite their political alignment with Washington and support for Ukraine — a balancing act that has drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Recent diplomatic efforts have reinforced the trend toward American energy dominance in Europe. In September, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with European officials to promote LNG exports. Around the same time, Italy’s Edison signed a 15-year supply deal for U.S. liquefied gas, and Slovakia inked an agreement for a new nuclear power plant with American partners.
Poland, already one of Europe’s most active importers of U.S. LNG, now aims to become a regional hub, channeling gas southward to neighboring countries through its growing pipeline network and terminals.
Currently, the United States supplies about 55% of the EU’s LNG, up from 27% in 2021. Replacing all Russian gas imports with American LNG would raise that figure to more than 80%, according to Reuters calculations — a transformation that could redefine Europe’s energy security for the next decade.