Brussels, 9 January 2023
Today, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, is in Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various government representatives on the state of play in the country and the immediate needs on the ground in light of Russia’s intensified attacks against critical infrastructure. He will discuss in particular concrete support to the energy sector and energy supply, as well as the government’s plan for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
In addition to his bilateral meeting with the President, the Executive Vice-President will have meetings with Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal; Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba; Minister of Energy, German Galushchenko; and Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ruslan Strilets. The EU supports the reconstruction of Ukraine based on the European Green Deal objectives, in light of its path to EU membership as well as the future competitiveness of its economy, placing renewable energy development and just transition at the heart of the country’s reconstruction plans.
Source – EU Commission
European Green Deal: Ukrainian president had a meeting with EU Commission Executive VP
Kyiv, 9 January 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans, who arrived in Kyiv for a visit.
The Head of State expressed gratitude for the significant support of Ukraine by the European Commission and noted personal efforts of Frans Timmermans.
The interlocutors discussed a range of topical issues of bilateral agenda, particularly in the context of preparation for the EU-Ukraine Summit scheduled for February 3 in Ukraine.
The President informed the European official about the state of the energy system of Ukraine that regularly suffers from targeted missile strikes by Russia and about the assistance necessary for our country to get through the winter.
“Today, as we are defending our energy sector together with the European Union, both Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen and EU leaders help us, in particular by providing much-needed generators and transformers,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that during the reconstruction, Ukraine will focus on the implementation of “green” projects and is ready to become one of the European hubs of modern “green” energy. The President also thanked for the initiative to launch a strategic partnership between Ukraine and the EU in the field of renewable gasses.
“We have to decide what the generation in Ukraine should be, what the independent energy generation in Europe should be in the future. Because we will win this war, but the neighborhood with Russia will remain. That is why the European Union must be independent of any decisions of the Russian Federation. Here, we see ourselves as a reliable partner in the “green” energy,” the Head of State noted.
The parties stressed the importance of further strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia, particularly in the energy sector.
Source – President of Ukraine