The European Union began with energy. It began with the Schuman Declaration — a decision to pool the energy resources of European countries in order to make another war impossible. A united Europe was born from the aspiration for peace. Today, a united Europe stands alongside Ukraine in defending peace.
“Despite the war, we continue to integrate into the European architecture of security, values, rules, and standards. Ukraine is an integral part of Europe’s energy system,” said First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal.
- Following the emergency synchronization with ENTSO-E in 2022, we are now transforming that decision into a full-fledged energy partnership. On certain days last winter, electricity imports from the EU enabled us to cover nearly 20% of domestic electricity consumption. The maximum import capacity from Europe to Ukraine has increased from zero to 2,450 MW. Over the coming years, we plan to expand cross-border interconnection capacity by an additional 1.5 GW.
- Our underground gas storage facilities have already become a strategic resource for Europe. In 2025 alone, more than 150 million cubic metres of gas owned by European traders were injected into Ukrainian underground storage facilities. Together with our partners, we are working to diversify gas supplies and advance the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor.
- Another powerful symbol of European unity and Ukraine’s resilience is the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. Of its 39 international donors, 34 are countries and companies from the European Union. To date, total contributions to the Fund have reached nearly EUR 1.9 billion.
“We are also grateful to the European Union and its Member States for their decision to provide EUR 90 billion to support Ukraine’s recovery, strengthen our energy sector, and enhance the country’s defence resilience. I am grateful to the EU for its political leadership, financial support, sanctions pressure on the aggressor, and our joint efforts to shape the future of Ukraine and of Europe as a whole. Europe Day is about unity, peace, and cooperation across the continent. Today, together with our partners, we are advancing along this path not only politically, but also through shared decisions, shared security, and shared action,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.
