Oleksii Kuleba discussed with Matteo Rivellini emergency support for the energy sector from the European Investment Bank and priorities for recovery in 2026

A meeting was held between Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba and Head of the Ukraine Investment Team at the European Investment Bank, Matteo Rivellini. Deputy Minister Maryna Denysiuk, Deputy Ministers Oleksii Riabikin, Yevhen Dubogryz, and Artem Rybchenko also participated in the meeting on behalf of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.

The focus of the talks was on support for the energy sector following the russian federation's shelling of critical infrastructure, strategic priorities for 2026, and further plans for cooperation.

Ukraine's energy system currently remains in a critical state. The situation in frontline regions, particularly in Kyiv city and the Kyiv region, is extremely serious. Damage to critical infrastructure and power shortages have forced cities to live with severe blackouts and limited access to heat, water, and electricity.

The European Investment Bank has proposed a rapid mechanism for the redistribution of funds within the current Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Program (UMIP).

This involves the allocation of funding for the purchase of cogeneration plants, energy and heating equipment, as well as support for water utilities.

The parties agreed to apply simplified procurement procedures to ensure that aid reaches communities as quickly as possible.

Matteo Rivellini confirmed that supporting Ukraine's recovery and development remains a top priority for the bank. The EIB prioritizes financing projects in frontline regions, where the need for recovery is greatest.

The participants discussed priorities for recovery in 2026: support for frontline communities, the launch of social housing programs, and the sustainability of rail connections and logistics routes — the Solidarity Lanes.

"The European Investment Bank is our strategic partner, whose role goes far beyond financing infrastructure projects — it provides institutional support for our path to full EU membership. We are focusing on creating conditions for people to return: providing communities with affordable and quality social housing, as well as restoring critical logistics — roads and bridges.

A separate priority is strengthening the capacity of communities. We are grateful for the support of projects to rebuild schools, kindergartens, and hospitals — this is important for community residents and motivates them to stay at home or return to their native settlements. We also count on the EIB's support in developing flexible leasing and credit solutions that will allow communities to quickly receive assistance for the reconstruction and livelihood of settlements," said Oleksii Kuleba.

The parties agreed to prepare a joint Memorandum of Understanding, which could be signed at the upcoming Ukraine-EU Summit in Brussels in April 2026. This will lay the legal foundation for the implementation of long-term strategies for the restoration of housing and social infrastructure.