On the sidelines of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Council meeting, Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko met with Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Abba Busch.

The parties focused on the consequences of the floods caused by the russians' blowing up of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam. German Galushchenko noted that it would take about two weeks to assess the consequences of the tragedy for the energy sector, but there were already prioritised needs.

"The terrorist state stops at nothing. This time, russia has committed an act of ecocide. We must prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and provide the population with drinking water and electricity. Ukrainian rescuers, power engineers, volunteers and all those who care are making every effort to overcome the aftermath of this tragedy. We are grateful to our international partners who have already responded and are also helping us. This assistance is essential, just as it is important to call a terrorist act by its proper name and consolidate efforts to stop the aggressor," the Minister stressed, adding that not only Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, but also certain districts of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions were affected by the tragedy.

The parties discussed areas of cooperation in restoring damaged and destroyed energy infrastructure. Abba Busch stressed that the Government of Sweden was interested in the participation of Swedish businesses in the relevant projects. Sweden has already provided EUR 30 million through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. It was agreed that part of the funds would be used to purchase equipment for energy companies in the affected regions.

The officials agreed to intensify the work of the Swedish Business Association and hold a special event for Swedish business representatives on the prospects for investment in the Ukrainian energy sector, which will be organised with the participation of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).