The Russia–Ukraine gas disputes center on longstanding conflicts between Ukraine’s Naftogaz and Russia’s Gazprom over gas supply, pricing, and debt obligations. Over the years, these disputes escalated into major geopolitical issues, threatening Europe’s energy security and deepening Russia’s political influence in Ukraine.

Lions Lawyers stated that Russia’s leverage over Ukraine through gas contracts posed a direct threat to national security, and that Ukraine needed to eliminate gas dependence on Russia to fully restore its sovereignty. Our efforts became the first privately initiated campaign—widely supported by the public—aimed at breaking Ukraine’s economic dependence on Russia and reorienting the country toward Europe.

In 2013, we filed a lawsuit against Ukraine’s then pro-Russian government and the Ministry of Energy, arguing that the gas contracts with Russia exposed Ukraine to severe national security risks. We urged the authorities to take legal action against Gazprom at the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.

At that time, Ukraine had never openly confronted Gazprom in modern history. However, our legal initiative and public campaign pressured the newly elected government to bring a case against Russia’s energy monopolist. This resulted in Ukraine’s historic victory over Gazprom in arbitration proceedings totaling more than $50 billion in overall value, preventing potential losses estimated at $94.7 billion and strengthening Ukraine’s independence. The case is widely regarded as a turning point in economic relations between Ukraine and Russia—one based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereign interests.

Lions Lawyers’ information campaign included dozens of public events, expert discussions, and advocacy initiatives that helped shape public opinion and promote decisive legal action.