EU to deploy special aid mechanism as Ukraine's energy crisis deepens
Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
The European Union will implement a special assistance mechanism in response to the difficult energy situation in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy says he spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"Right now, many of our cities and communities are facing a very difficult situation with power, water, and heating supplies due to Russian strikes. The situation is most difficult in Kyiv, the Dnipro, Sumy, and Donetsk regions, and Kherson," he says.
What mechanism will European Union use
"I told Ursula about the challenges, and we agreed that the European Union would activate a special emergency mechanism. This will make it possible to quickly provide Ukraine with funding for what is needed most right now. Our teams are already working on this," the President writes.
The conversation also covered additional energy and humanitarian aid to prepare for winter, as well as issues of European integration. According to Zelenskyy, the European Commission revealed its annual report on EU enlargement this week, in which it gave a positive assessment of Ukraine's progress.
"It is important to open all the clusters and begin closing the chapters," he emphasizes.
Diplomacy and Abu Dhabi meeting
The President also touches on diplomacy. Negotiations took place recently in Brussels, during which Ukrainian teams worked effectively on a recovery plan and security guarantees from Europe.
"Ursula and I also coordinated our positions regarding the meeting in Abu Dhabi. We are doing everything to ensure that the trilateral format delivers results," Zelenskyy adds.
On the night of November 9, Russia attacked Ukraine with 317 drones, 105 of which were jet-powered. The Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down or neutralized 276 Russian drones, with strikes recorded at 31 locations.
Power-limitation schedules have been established for industrial customers, and hourly power outages have been implemented for all categories of residents.
