At the initiative of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, the co-chairs of the G7+ Coordination Group, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada and the European Commission, convened an emergency meeting to support Ukraine’s energy sector following Russia’s massive overnight strike.
During the meeting, the Ukrainian side provided international partners with detailed information on the consequences of the attack, which targeted, among other things, oil and gas facilities.
The session was attended by more than 100 representatives of countries and international organizations, including the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the European Commission, UNDP, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Energy Community Secretariat, and other partners.
Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Roman Andarak informed participants about the brutal Russian assault on civilian infrastructure. “This is a clear attempt to deprive Ukrainians of light and heat during the autumn and winter period. Russia has not abandoned its intention to plunge Ukraine into darkness on the eve of the new heating season,” he emphasized.
According to Roman Andarak, during more than three and a half years of full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation, Ukraine’s international partners have provided substantial support to the country’s energy sector. Thanks to the equipment and financial assistance received, Ukraine was able to successfully endure three consecutive wartime winters and promptly carry out necessary repairs.
With the intensification of Russian attacks, the need to mobilize support from international partners is increasing, particularly through mechanisms that have already proven effective and can deliver assistance within the shortest possible timeframe.
In this context, Mr. Andarak informed partners about Ukraine’s urgent needs for the rapid restoration of damaged facilities. These include, first and foremost, physical and air defense systems, the purchase of additional volumes of natural gas, and energy equipment required for restoration and repair works.
He expressed hope for continued support from international partners, called for stronger sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, and conveyed gratitude for the donor contributions already provided.
In response, G7+ representatives reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine and agreed to convene an additional meeting in the near future to coordinate further joint actions.
For reference: The G7+ Energy Coordination Group in Ukraine was established in November 2022 to coordinate and mobilize donor support for Ukraine, particularly for the restoration and protection of its energy infrastructure.
The members of the Group include: Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, as well as the Energy Community Secretariat, the World Bank Group, the EBRD, and UNDP.
