6. Ukraine’s Energy Security in the New Geopolitical Context

Due to its role of a transit country for transporting Russian gas to the European Union through its territory, as a well large deposits of coal and natural gas, Ukraine, via its energy policy, has considerable impact on the neighbouring EU nations. The conflict with Russia, which began in 2014, has had a significant impact on the Ukraine’s energy sector. Ukraine aims to reduce its dependence from power supplied by Russia by increasing energy efficiency, diversifying energy sources and adjusting its energy market regulations in order to comply with the EU standards. The nation also aims to make sufficient strategic energy reserves and protect critical energy infrastructure. As Ukraine has the most carbon-intensive economy in Europe and often fails to comply with international requirements, Ukraine’s energy policy shifts to incorporate the environmental component of energy security. Ukraine has chosen the European model and makes efforts to implement the EU environmental laws and obligations in the national legislation.