The Netherlands will continue to support the energy sector of Ukraine and is interested in deepening cooperation in sustainable energy and decentralisation of generation. This was discussed at a meeting between Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Yaroslav Demchenkov and a delegation of the Netherlands headed by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Geoffrey van Leeuwen. The meeting took place at one of the energy facilities that was damaged during the russian attacks.

Geoffrey van Leeuwen expressed his admiration for the work and resilience of Ukrainian energy workers and congratulated Ukraine on the European Council's decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, stressing the prospects for full integration of the Ukrainian and European energy markets.

"Ukraine has a high potential for the development of the energy sector. We are not waiting for the end of the war and are already working on projects that will strengthen the resilience and flexibility of our energy system. Given the successful policy of the Netherlands to abandon fossil fuels and the significant increase in renewable energy capacity, we offer to join projects in Ukraine in solar and wind generation. At the same time, Ukrainian specialists who have gained extraordinary experience in the face of military challenges can share their knowledge with the Dutch side," said Yaroslav Demchenkov.

On behalf of Energy Minister German Galushchenko, the Deputy Minister thanked the Netherlands for its assistance to Ukraine. the Ukrainian energy sector, in particular, in the restoration and repair of energy infrastructure. The Netherlands has allocated about EUR 650 million to support Ukraine's urgent needs (including more than EUR 120 million for the energy sector) and sent 84 humanitarian aid consignments totalling more than 1,000 units of energy equipment.

The Deputy Minister also briefed the guest on the state of natural gas production in Ukraine and outlined the prospects for attracting Dutch traders to store natural gas in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities. In addition, he addressed the Dutch side with a proposal to involve Ukraine in a programme for retraining oil and gas and coal industry workers to work in the renewable energy sector.