BRUSSELS: European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen is traveling to war-ravaged Ukraine on Friday with the promise of 160 million euros ($180 million) in fresh energy funds to get the nation through the winter.
Von der Leyen told reporters that 100 million euros ($112 million) of the funds would come the proceeds of the Russian assets held in the EU because of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused," she said.
The EU estimates that about half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been destroyed, making the job of heating homes, hospitals and schools increasingly difficult as temperatures dip ahead of the third war winter,
Von der Leyen said Russia knew full well that bombing energy stations was hitting Ukraine where it really hurts. Morale to keep on fighting can be significantly sapped if millions shiver in the brutal winter for months on end.
"We may see huge implications," said Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency. "People will look to move around, to go to the places where they can have shelter and heating."
"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.
Overall, the EU estimates that it has provided Ukraine with at least 2 billion euros in energy support since the February 2022 invasion.
Von der Leyen told reporters that 100 million euros ($112 million) of the funds would come the proceeds of the Russian assets held in the EU because of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused," she said.
The EU estimates that about half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been destroyed, making the job of heating homes, hospitals and schools increasingly difficult as temperatures dip ahead of the third war winter,
Von der Leyen said Russia knew full well that bombing energy stations was hitting Ukraine where it really hurts. Morale to keep on fighting can be significantly sapped if millions shiver in the brutal winter for months on end.
"We may see huge implications," said Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency. "People will look to move around, to go to the places where they can have shelter and heating."
"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.
Overall, the EU estimates that it has provided Ukraine with at least 2 billion euros in energy support since the February 2022 invasion.
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