On the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko and Deputy Minister Yaroslav Demchenkov met with Assistant Administrator in the USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E) Erin McKee.

The main topic of the conversation was the strengthening of cooperation to enhance the sustainability of the Ukrainian energy sector and support for the Ministry of Energy in implementing reforms.

The Minister thanked the U.S. Government, the American people and USAID for the significant technical assistance and political support already provided to strengthen Ukraine's energy security.

In particular, the parties discussed the importance of the decision to allocate new USAID funds in the amount of USD 522 million to help strengthen and repair the Ukrainian energy system, which was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

German Galushchenko and Erin McKee emphasized winterization and the participation of the USAID Energy Security Project in the procurement of necessary energy equipment through the Energy Support Fund and the U.S. contribution of USD 25 million to this Fund.

"Today, Ukraine is undergoing the largest repair campaign at energy facilities since independence in preparation for the heating season. Generating facilities and distribution system operators' networks are being repaired. We understand that as winter approaches, the enemy may intensify attacks on civilian energy infrastructure. Accordingly, we already need to create equipment reserves to recover as quickly as possible in case of damage and attacks," said German Galushchenko.

The Minister expressed hope that further cooperation, in particular in the procurement of equipment through the Energy Support Fund, would be even faster and more efficient.

"It is crucial that all the necessary machinery and equipment that our energy companies need, and which have already been purchased with the Fund's money, be delivered on time. This is a matter of the country's energy security," added German Galushchenko.

In the context of the winter challenges and further development of the energy system, the parties also discussed the importance of decentralization of generation and development of solar and wind generation, energy storage and grids.

They considered the possibility of technical assistance and the development of tools that would attract additional funds for the implementation of renewable energy projects, which is important for strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the power system.

Special attention was paid to strengthening cooperation in implementing reforms. In particular, further assistance from USAID in adapting Ukrainian legislation to European standards, integrating Ukrainian markets with European ones, and strengthening the institutional capacity of market participants.