Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine Peter Van de Velde. The parties discussed cooperation in the energy sector and assistance in restoring energy infrastructure.

The Head of the Ministry of Energy thanked the Ambassador for Belgium’s support to Ukraine in the face of russian aggression and assistance to the Ukrainian energy sector (four cargoes of humanitarian aid in the form of equipment weighing more than 36 tonnes). The Minister also spoke about preparations for the next heating season. He stressed that the key task was to restore energy infrastructure facilities and decentralise power generation.

“Ukraine still needs equipment that will allow us to carry out repairs and ensure that storage facilities are filled. This is necessary given the risk of repeated hostile attacks during the next heating season,” said German Galushchenko. In this context, the Minister underlined the effectiveness of the mechanism for raising funds for the purchase of the necessary equipment under the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, established by the Energy Community Secretariat on the initiative of European Commissioner Kadri Simson.

The Minister of Energy also highlighted the prospects of attracting Belgian investments in the development of renewable energy sources, the hydrogen industry and biomethane.

“Ukraine will become an energy hub in Europe in the future. We will develop areas that will strengthen Europe’s energy security. Investment in the restoration of the Ukrainian energy sector using the most advanced technologies will become the basis for mutually beneficial relations between our countries,” said German Galushchenko.

The parties also discussed cooperation to increase pressure on russia in connection with the occupation of the ZNPP and the nuclear and radiation threats posed by russian terrorists.