European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Ukraine with a focus on assisting the country in repairing and reconnecting its war-damaged electricity grid and enhancing its heating capacity ahead of the approaching winter season. Ukraine has faced significant challenges as around half of its energy infrastructure has been destroyed during the conflict with Russia, leading to rolling electricity blackouts in certain regions.
Von der Leyen emphasized the urgency of the situation, likening the impact to entire countries losing electricity. With the heating season set to begin in two weeks, efforts are underway to mitigate the damage caused by Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The primary objective of the European assistance is to support Ukraine in decentralizing its power grid and reducing reliance on vulnerable large power stations that are susceptible to attacks. The provision of generators, transformers, and mobile gas turbines aims to make the energy infrastructure more resilient and easier to repair in case of damage.
As Ukraine braces for the winter months, the European Union aims to contribute around 25% of the country's anticipated power needs. The assistance also seeks to incentivize residents to remain in Ukraine, as millions have fled since the conflict began.
In addition to energy support, the EU is offering aid to help individuals find housing, employment, and education opportunities. Despite these efforts, the number of people leaving Ukraine continues to rise, prompting the EU to allocate additional funds to fortify the country's energy network.
The EU's plan includes using revenue from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, with a focus on strengthening its defense capabilities. Discussions between von der Leyen and President Zelenskyy will also address financial assistance from the Group of Seven nations to boost Ukraine's economy and assess progress on the country's aspirations to join the EU.
