The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, underlined on Tuesday 1 November in Kyiv the support of Europeans for Ukraine’s energy security. Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure have affected more than 30% of the country’s energy system, according to the European Commission.
“Specific assistance for the energy sector is necessary and extremely urgent”, said Ms Simson at a press conference with the Ukrainian Energy Minister, German Galushchenko.
Ms Simson also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss how the EU can take the lead in the international effort to repair and rebuild the energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
While Europeans have delivered emergency energy equipment to Ukraine, the European Commission said in a statement that support should be stepped up in view of the escalating Russian attacks.
€25.5 million has also been made available to cover the most urgent needs through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and the first supplies are in the process of being purchased.
In addition, a campaign to mobilise additional private sector support will be launched in the coming days by the European Commission, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and the Energy Community, according to the European Commission.
In terms of nuclear energy, €13 million was allocated to the restoration of laboratories that were damaged by the Russian occupation at the Chernobyl nuclear site. Ms Simson also explained about the EU’s intention to channel an additional €3.5 million through the International Atomic Energy Agency to support Ukraine in this sector. Furthermore, the EU has supplied €40 million in countermeasures and equipment to combat the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threat.
The Commissioner also participated in the first meeting of the International Energy Advisory Council for Ukraine (IEAC4U), a forum that will help coordinate the efforts of participating countries and will provide technical assistance to match up Ukrainian needs with potential donations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)