By KYIV. Dec 14 (Interfax-Ukraine) – France has committed to provide assistance worth EUR 415 million to restore the Ukrainian energy sector, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko has said.
"I am grateful to the countries and companies that have been helping Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Due to the continuous Russian attacks, our needs are growing weekly. The priority is high-voltage equipment, but there is a need for other equipment and spare parts for network repairs. Support in the amount of EUR 415 million, which was announced at a conference in Paris, will greatly help the restoration of the Ukrainian energy sector," the press service of the ministry quoted him as saying.
Haluschenko recalled that as a result of Russian attacks about 50% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been damaged, suffering almost daily from targeted attacks by Russian missiles for two months.
In this regard, the minister emphasized the importance of the solidarity of European countries for the protection of the civilian population of Ukraine from Russia’s "energy" aggression.
The minister of energy added that Ukraine also needs gas turbine and gas piston units, which will help ensure the stable operation of the energy system.
In addition, he recalled the non-observance of the principles of nuclear safety by Russia, which, having seized the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and shelled its territory, has been keeping the world on the verge of a nuclear disaster for more than nine months.
"We must jointly give a worthy rebuff to the aggressor, take concrete steps to help stop nuclear terrorism. It’s about the imposition of sanctions against Russia, the replacement of Russian nuclear fuel, the rejection of Russian nuclear technologies and joint projects with Rosatom. Only solidarity and determination in confronting the terrorist state will help win this war," Haluschenko said.
