In 2021, the Polish gas transmission system operator GAZ-SYSTEM, in cooperation with the Danish gas and electricity transmission system operator Energinet, began construction of a new gas pipeline from Norway to Poland via Denmark. It will be the first connection of Scandinavian countries with Central-Eastern European countries. The Baltic Pipe gas pipeline is very important for Poland, which is gradually reducing its dependence on Russian gas supplies and strives to expand the energy infrastructure with neighboring countries in order to integrate the Central and Eastern European gas system within the North-South corridor and become a gas hub in this part of Europe. The aim of this article is to answer the following questions: How important is the Baltic Pipe for Poland? Will the gas pipeline have a significant impact on the diversification of gas supplies in short-term and will it contribute to the improvement of the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe in long-term? Will it contribute to the integration of energy systems within the North-South Corridor and the Three Seas Initiative?

The annexation of Crimea and military operations that began in eastern Ukraine in April 2014 were the cause of the growing threat to Ukraine’s energy security. In terms of coal supplies, Donbass is of key importance for the country’s economy. Despite military operations on the east, illegal trade with the occupied territories was flourishing. This situation led to an increase in dissatisfaction amid certain social strata, as well as among volunteer battalions participants who took part in the military operations in Donbass and were the initiators of the Donbass blockade. The main purpose of the study to analyse the specific of the development of coal industry in Ukraine and the main reasons of the blockade of Donbass and its consequences.