Ukraine Seeks Mozambican LNG as Energy Security Becomes Strategic Imperative
KYIV/MAPUTO – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has opened talks with Mozambique to secure liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the southern African nation, signaling a significant shift in Kyiv’s energy strategy as the ongoing war in the Middle East places additional strain on global energy markets.
During discussions with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, Zelenskyy outlined a framework for what he described as a “mutual support” partnership. Under the proposed arrangement, Ukraine would gain access to new natural gas supplies to stabilize its energy grid, while Mozambique would receive critical security expertise from Ukraine to combat a long-running Islamist insurgency in its northern Cabo Delgado province.
“We see an opportunity for both our nations to support one another during challenging times,” Zelenskyy said following the talks. The dialogue marks a deepening of ties between the two nations, driven by converging strategic interests.
For Mozambique, the partnership comes at a pivotal moment. The country is on the cusp of becoming a major global LNG supplier following the recent revival of a massive liquefied natural gas project led by French energy giant TotalEnergies. The project, which was stalled for several years due to security concerns, is expected to produce up to 13 million tonnes of LNG annually once fully operational. Mozambique’s interest in Ukrainian security expertise is tied directly to its need to protect these critical energy assets from insurgent activity.
For Ukraine, the move is the latest step in a long-term effort to diversify its energy sources away from Russian dominance. Kyiv has not imported Russian gas since 2015, but the ongoing conflict in Iran has introduced new volatility to global supply chains, prompting Ukrainian officials to seek alternative, stable suppliers to ensure energy security heading into future winter seasons.
Analysts note that while Mozambique is geographically distant from Ukraine, the development of its LNG export capacity aligns with Kyiv’s strategy of tapping into non-traditional energy partners to reduce vulnerability to geopolitical pressure.
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