BRUSSELS (AP)– European Union principal Ursula von der Leyen is taking a trip to war-ravaged Ukraine on Friday with the assurance of 160 million euros ($ 180 million) in fresh energy funds to obtain the country through the winter.
Von der Leyen informed press reporters that 100 million euros ($ 112 million) of the funds would certainly come the profits of the Russian possessions kept in the EU as a result of the 2022 intrusion ofUkraine “It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused,” she stated.
The European Union approximates that regarding fifty percent of Ukraine’s power facilities has actually been ruined, making the work of home heating homes, healthcare facilities and colleges significantly challenging as temperature levels dip in advance of the 3rd battle winter season that the country will certainly encounter.
Von der Leyen stated Russia recognized complete well that battle power terminals was striking Ukraine where it actually harms. Morale to go on combating can be dramatically sapped if millions shudder in the harsh winter season for months at a time.
“We may see huge implications,” stated Fatih Birol, the head of theInternational Energy Agency “People will certainly aim to walk around, to head to the areas where they can have sanctuary and home heating.”
That makes international help all the more necessary, said von der Leyen.
“As Ukraine’s friends and partners, we must do all we can to keep the lights on. And as winter is approaching, well, we must keep the brave people of Ukraine warm, while we also are keeping the economy running,” she said.
Many of the upcoming efforts will go into repairing the damage done. Lithuania, for example, is dismantling a thermal power plant to ship it piece by piece to Ukraine for rebuilding there. With continued electricity exports from EU countries, von der Leyen said it would cover about a quarter of the nation’s energy need in the coming months.
The EU is trying to decentralize energy production through the use of solar panels and other new technologies in Ukraine to make it more difficult for Russian attacks to have a direct impact on the energy grid. It would also help Ukraine become a greener economy, she said.
Overall, the EU estimates that it has provided Ukraine with at least 2 billion euros ($2.24 billion) in energy support since the February 2022 invasion. Von der Leyen said she will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss energy issues on Friday.
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Find more coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Raf Casert, The Associated Press
