By John Ginkel
Sarajevo, 01 December 2025, dtt-net.com – As the world navigates a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) stands at a crossroads. The stakes are high – it is important for BiH to act decisively to ensure its energy security or risk being left behind.
The Trump Administration has underscored two critical truths – the world will continue to run on oil, gas, and coal; and every molecule of Russian gas purchased in Europe funds Russia’s war machine.
Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on Russia for 100 percent of its gas, and that supply is not dependable. The European Union is banning Russian gas from its single market, and Bulgaria has announced it will stop Russian gas from transiting its territory by 2028. When that happens, BiH will need a new source of gas, while its neighbors scramble to do the same. With only one current interconnection to receive gas imports, BiH will struggle to secure alternative gas supplies or book pipeline capacity.
But there is a clear solution – the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline. This project would allow BiH to purchase reliable, affordable liquified natural gas (LNG). It would strengthen BiH’s energy security and deepen its commercial and strategic ties with secure providers of energy, especially the United States. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Chair and Vice Chair of the U.S. Energy Dominance Council who were tasked by President Trump with getting Europe off Russian energy, made this clear on November 7 when they sat down with senior BiH and Croatian officials at the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) conference in Athens to discuss the project. They highlighted the importance of finding a compromise to move the gas pipeline forward and called on all parties to end the delays.
This week, I met with leaders from the Federation of BiH governing coalition. My message was simple: Now is the time to end political gridlock and build the Southern Interconnection. And for the first time in many years, we found consensus on a path forward. Together we agreed, in principle, that an American company would be best positioned to build, manage, and operate the pipeline in the interests of all residents of the Federation. We will have intensive discussions over the next weeks to flesh out the details, and with the intention to have construction begin next year.
The case for the Southern Interconnection is clear. Families need gas to stay warm in winter. Businesses need new reliable gas supplies to revitalize Herzegovina’s cities and create jobs. And everyone in BiH, especially children and the elderly, needs clean air to breathe.
Washington wants to strengthen the U.S.-BiH partnership and is looking for bold action to advance this critical project that will secure BiH’s economic future. The Trump Administration is ready to move quickly to support the Southern Interconnection. It is now up to BiH’s leaders to take this vital project forward. Let’s work together to take it across the finish line.
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John Ginkel is Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. at the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
This opinion was first published at USA Embassy X Account.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of dtt-net.com.
