The energy and resources potential of Ukraine is vast and diverse, ranging from oil and gas to coal and renewable energy sources. However, despite this abundance, Ukraine has struggled to fully utilize its resources and capitalize on its energy potential. This has made the country a target of interest for other nations who see the opportunity to tap into these resources.

One of the main reasons for Ukraine's underperformance in the energy sector is the lack of investment and modernization in the industry. The country's outdated infrastructure, outdated technologies, and inefficient production methods have hampered the growth of the sector and its ability to compete on the global market. This has also resulted in a heavy reliance on imports, particularly from Russia.

However, Ukraine has recently taken steps towards modernizing its energy industry and reducing its dependence on imports. This includes expanding the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, as well as increasing the efficiency of its oil and gas production.

Despite these efforts, Ukraine still faces numerous challenges in realizing its energy potential. The ongoing conflict in the Donbas region, economic instability, and political uncertainty all pose risks to the sector's growth and development. Additionally, the country's energy sector remains vulnerable to corruption, which has long plagued Ukraine's economy and government.

Nevertheless, Ukraine's energy and resources potential is significant, and with the right investments, modernization, and policies, the country could become a major player in the global energy market. As the world continues to shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, Ukraine's abundance of renewable energy sources could prove to be a valuable asset in the country's economic and geopolitical future.

However, there are certain obstacles to the development of this sector in Ukraine. Despite significant reserves of oil and gas, Ukraine remains one of the most energy-dependent countries in the world. The majority of the consumed energy is still imported, which has a negative impact on the country's economy.

In addition, the energy sector in Ukraine suffers from a lack of investment, as well as problems with corruption and inefficient state management. These factors make it difficult to develop new projects and reduce Ukraine's attractiveness to foreign investors. Nonetheless, Ukraine is still an interesting object for other countries due to its geopolitical position and rich resources.

For example, Russia uses its dominance in the gas infrastructure to exert pressure on Ukraine and other countries. The US and the EU, in turn, are interested in developing alternative sources of energy and strengthening Ukraine's energy independence.

Thus, the development of the energy sector in Ukraine has enormous potential, but requires solving a number of complex problems. In the long run, the development of this sector can become a key factor in economic growth and strengthening Ukraine's political position on the international stage. Additionally, Ukraine also has the potential for developing alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind energy, which could be an important factor for its economic development and reducing its dependence on energy imports.

Overall, Ukraine has significant potential for developing its energy industry, but serious reforms and improvement of the investment climate are necessary for this. Without these, Ukraine will continue to be dependent on energy imports and will not be able to fully utilize its potential in this important sector.

According to the data of the National Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine, the country has significant potential for oil and gas extraction. For instance, oil reserves amount to around 345 million tons, while gas reserves are about 1.1 trillion cubic meters.

Despite this, in 2021, Ukraine imported around 10.8 billion cubic meters of gas. Additionally, Ukraine is one of the largest gas consumers in Europe. Annually, Ukraine exports approximately 1.6 billion cubic meters of gas and 2.1 million tons of oil. This is significantly less than exporting countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. However, the export of these resources makes a significant contribution to the Ukrainian budget. Gas and oil exports bring Ukraine $1.5 billion, which is about 4-5% of the country's total export volume. Therefore, with proper management and investments, Ukraine can reach a new level in this segment.