European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Kiev on Friday, she announced in Brussels on Thursday.
The commission chair wants to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about helping Ukraine’s energy supply before the winter season, she said.
“Now that temperatures are falling, the European Union is ready to step up its support for Ukraine. We are preparing for winter together,” von der Leyen told reporters.
The EU will provide Ukraine with an additional €160 million ($178 million) to restore damaged energy infrastructure, expand renewable energy and finance reception centres, von der Leyen said.
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is under severe strain amid mounting Russian attacks on power plants, thermal power stations and transmission networks, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday.
“Stress that is bearable during the summer months can become unbearable when temperatures drop and heat and water supplies fail, leading to further displacement of affected populations within the country and beyond,” the energy agency said.
“Ukraine’s international partners have provided much-needed assistance
“We have provided aid and equipment throughout the war, but the current acute situation calls for further support,” the agency’s report said.
The situation could worsen as the days get shorter and colder, the ministry said, potentially threatening the power supply to hospitals, schools and other vital facilities, as well as the heat supply to major cities.
The IEA called on Ukraine’s partners to support the country in protecting its electricity and heat supplies. According to the IEA, “Ukraine’s energy system has survived two consecutive winters since the Russian invasion, but the third promises to be its toughest test.”
