Energy security and preparations for the next winter: key outcomes of Yulia Svyrydenko’s meeting with regional council chairs

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, along with members of Parliament and Government officials, held a meeting with the chairs of regional councils from all regions of Ukraine. This is the first meeting of its kind for the Government team. Regional council chairs work with communities on a daily basis and have a deep understanding of the regions’ real needs. That is why they are vital partners in implementing state programs and decisions at the local level.

The key topic was energy security and preparations for the coming winter. In particular, the implementation of Regional Resilience Plans was discussed. The total funding required for their implementation amounts to UAH 278 billion. As the Head of Government noted, the state provides part of the funding, but a significant responsibility also lies with local budgets.

“The Government has already done a significant part of the work on its end: UAH 22.8 billion have been allocated for the construction of priority protection for energy facilities and the connection of existing cogeneration plants and modular boiler houses. We have also established a co-financing mechanism that takes into account the special needs of frontline regions: for most regions, we are maintaining co-financing at a level of no less than 20%; for frontline regions, the burden is reduced to 10%,” emphasized Yulia Svyrydenko.

Separately, the participants discussed the issue of the country’s macrofinancial stability. The first tranche of the EU loan is expected to be disbursed as part of a new support package totaling EUR 90 billion, which will be allocated to defense needs and budgetary support, including social benefits.

The focus also remains on issues of social stability in communities: high-quality local healthcare under the Medical Guarantees Program, expanding the list of medications under the Affordable Medicines program, safe and high-quality education, and road repairs, including those critical for defense logistics. Special attention is being given to frontline communities, which continue to live and work despite daily shelling.

“I am grateful to the heads of regional councils for the constructive discussion. It is essential for us that the regions actively participate in supporting the state’s vital functions amid military challenges, and that this work results in decisions that truly benefit people on the ground,” noted Yulia Svyrydenko.