First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held a series of bilateral meetings with international partners during his working visit to France, where he is participating in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting.
In a conversation with UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, the Minister of Energy expressed gratitude for support to Ukraine’s energy sector, including through the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, to which the United Kingdom has contributed over GBP 160 million. Thanks to this support, energy workers have replaced high-voltage equipment damaged by Russian attacks, reinforced substations, and increased the overall reliability of regional power systems.
“The United Kingdom is a reliable and strategic friend of Ukraine. We deeply value this partnership,” Denys Shmyhal noted.
The parties discussed the development of the centenary partnership agreement between Ukraine and the UK, cooperation to strengthen energy infrastructure protection, development of distributed generation and grid modernization, implementation of innovative energy solutions, and enhanced business partnerships.
During a meeting with the Chair of the IEA Ministerial Meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth of the Netherlands Sophie Hermans, Denys Shmyhal acknowledged the Netherlands’ humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector, including the Kingdom’s EUR 100 million contribution to the Energy Support Fund.
“The Netherlands remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in strengthening energy security,” the Minister emphasized.
They discussed Ukraine’s needs for the recovery and modernization of the energy sector. Denys Shmyhal thanked the Netherlands for its readiness to assist with energy equipment supplies, including transformers and generators.
The First Deputy Prime Minister also met with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, thanking the Agency for preparing a report outlining key lessons from Ukraine’s experience that can serve as a basis for enhancing energy system resilience worldwide.
“We value the IEA’s support in developing solutions to strengthen Ukraine’s energy system resilience and transition to a more decentralized and secure energy architecture. We look forward to deepening our cooperation,” Denys Shmyhal stressed.
A separate topic of discussion was cooperation with global companies on the production and supply of energy equipment to Ukraine.
With Poland’s Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka, Denys Shmyhal discussed deepening cooperation in the oil and gas sector as well as electricity imports.
“An important initiative remains the Brody–Adamowo oil pipeline as a strategically significant project for diversifying oil supply routes in Europe,” Denys Shmyhal noted.
The meeting also addressed prospects for developing the Vertical Gas Corridor and expanding Poland’s gas supply route to Ukraine; using Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities; enhancing cooperation between gas transmission system operators; strengthening cross-border electricity interconnections; and the possible transfer of equipment from Polish power plants to restore Ukrainian facilities after Russian attacks.
With Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katharina Reiche, Denys Shmyhal discussed attracting German investors to modernize Ukraine’s energy sector and create strategic equipment reserves for rapid recovery. They also discussed the possible inventory of decommissioned equipment from German thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants that could be used in Ukraine.
With Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala, Denys Shmyhal discussed cooperation to strengthen the protection of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the transfer of used equipment from Finnish power plants for repairs of Ukrainian energy facilities.
The officials also addressed countering Russia’s shadow fleet. Denys Shmyhal thanked Finland for its active participation in the initiative and comprehensive support for Ukraine.
With Norway’s Minister of Energy Terje Aasland, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy discussed areas of partnership between Ukraine and Norway. Denys Shmyhal thanked his counterpart for financial support for natural gas purchases to ensure Ukraine’s passage through the heating season during the most difficult period since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He emphasized the crucial role of Norway and the Nordic-Baltic Eight in the work of the Ukraine Energy Security Coordination Group.
