Sergii Koretskyi: Government accelerates winter preparations and strengthens protection of energy infrastructure

The Government plans to allocate a separate budget line, preliminarily amounting to USD 1 billion, for war risk insurance. Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergii Koretskyi announced this during a conversation with The Economist’s editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes at the YES–2026 meeting.

"We expect international partners to multiply this amount. The goal is to create a reserve covering 40–50% of losses from attacks. The key is a maximally simplified procedure and rapid response," emphasized the Head of Government.

Sergii Koretskyi stressed that winter was the main challenge, and the Government of Ukraine was preparing for it.

"We are accelerating work under resilience plans: protecting energy infrastructure, preparing decentralized solutions for the functioning of critical facilities," said the Prime Minister. "Lessons from last winter have been learned — we are significantly more prepared for attacks than a year ago. We have plans A, B, and C — including the worst-case scenario. There is no alternative but to get through this winter with dignity."

According to preliminary estimates as of early September, around UAH 70 billion in tax revenues may not reach the budget due to russian attacks on businesses. Strikes continue daily, and this figure may increase.

"The Government is implementing a number of support measures. We conducted a full audit of premises belonging to the State Property Fund, state enterprises, and ministries — we are offering businesses the use of these storage and production facilities," noted Sergii Koretskyi. "We are preparing decentralization of logistics, following the energy sector’s example, with a plan involving retailers and logistics companies for its implementation. We are negotiating with neighboring countries on a flexible, rapid border-crossing system."

The Government is also accelerating work on documents required to secure USD 29.5 billion in international financing this year. This includes 42 resolutions and other decisions.

"We promised to adopt these decisions by November 1, but given the complexity of the situation, we will speed up and complete the work by October 15," said Sergii Koretskyi. "All necessary draft laws will be submitted to Parliament already in September. As of today, 27 draft laws that must be adopted are already registered with the Verkhovna Rada. Once again, I call on all MPs, regardless of political affiliation, to support these decisions."

The Prime Minister emphasized that if the Government and Parliament fully deliver on their part, Ukraine will be capable of securing the necessary financing from partners and balancing the budget.

"Separately, the Defense Forces have a new need of USD 27 billion. We plan to cover this part of the deficit through acceleration of the Ukraine Support Loan, use of frozen russian assets, additional loans from partners outside the EU, and optimization of expenditures within the budget," Sergii Koretskyi added.