Zelenskyy has asked the EU to provide €5 billion in emergency funding for the energy sector
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the members of the European Council, urging them to urgently allocate at least five billion euros to support the power grid ahead of the coming winter. These funds are part of a broader 90-billion-euro package and are needed to rebuild infrastructure destroyed by Russia.
The head of state emphasized that funding is needed now, as preparations for the heating season and infrastructure protection cannot be delayed.
Zelenskyy noted that the implementation of a large financial package would also benefit Europe itself, as Ukraine would fulfill contracts, which would stimulate European technological development and job creation. According to him, in today’s world, national economies are closely intertwined, so blocking aid to Ukraine would have negative consequences for the entire EU. The President called on partners to make swift decisions to ensure the country’s energy security amid constant attacks by Russia.
Delays in the allocation of funds could undermine efforts to restore critical infrastructure, which directly affects the humanitarian situation in the region. The head of state emphasized that time is of the essence and called on EU leaders to act in a coordinated manner. Ensuring Ukraine’s energy independence remains a key element of the European continent’s overall security amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.
On the evening of March 18, near the Novovolynsk community in the Volyn region, Russian drones struck an energy facility. As a result of the attack, the facility was seriously damaged, and a fire broke out. Rescue services are working at the scene of the incident.
An “energy island” has been launched in Mykolaiv, which allows up to 65% of the city’s critical infrastructure to be supplied with electricity during blackouts.
