Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking investments from US companies to rebuild his country’s energy system, which has been heavily damaged by Russian air attacks. In a meeting with business representatives in New York, Zelenskyy proposed special incentives as part of his plan to prepare Ukraine for the winter and prevent power outages. The meeting was attended by energy, finance, and insurance companies, as well as US officials from USAID and the State Department.
The Russian air strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure started shortly after the invasion in February 2022 and have continued throughout the war. The attacks have left Ukrainian cities without power for hours at a time, with the targeting of civilian infrastructure considered a war crime by Ukraine and international organizations. Last week, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported violations of international humanitarian law due to the strikes.
Experts predict that Ukrainians may face power outages of four to 18 hours a day this winter, posing a significant challenge to the country’s energy grid. The International Energy Agency and European Commission have also expressed concerns about Russia’s deliberate targeting of Ukraine’s energy systems. The EU has pledged a loan of up to 35 billion euros to help Ukraine repair its energy system and increase heating capacity before the winter season.
Zelenskyy’s efforts to secure investments from US companies and international support are crucial in rebuilding Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and ensuring the country’s energy security in the face of continued Russian attacks.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
