Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the country is facing a difficult energy situation due to Russian strikes and is intensifying efforts with international partners to secure additional support.
According to him, acting on instructions from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with all partners to mobilize extra contributions to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector. This week, Ukraine has already received a major $200 million aid package from Norway to purchase gas and energy equipment.
Sybiha said new bilateral energy support packages from other partners are expected soon, as well as additional assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Relevant announcements, he added, are expected in the near future.
He noted that, on the instruction of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine together with the Ministry of Energy is convening an Energy Ramstein meeting, at which it hopes to receive additional contributions and concrete commitments from allies.
Ukraine remains in constant contact with the European Energy Community regarding replenishing the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and procuring equipment. Sybiha said Italy has already begun delivering high-capacity industrial boilers worth €1.85 million to help the communities most affected by the attacks.
Ukraine is also activating all available international mechanisms, including the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Energy Charter and other international organizations. All Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad have been instructed to maximize donor support for the most affected regions, particularly with energy equipment.
Sybiha stressed that the country is working in emergency mode to overcome the consequences of Russia’s winter terror and to support Ukrainian energy workers and repair crews, who he said are working at the limit of their capabilities every day.