The EU announced on Thursday that €160 million from frozen Russian assets will be used to address Ukraine’s critical humanitarian needs this winter.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned that Russia has disabled approximately 9 gigawatts (GW) of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, equivalent to the combined power of the three Baltic states.
The EU plans to assist with repairs and increase exports to help Ukraine, which is facing an estimated 6 GW deficit in electricity this winter due to heightened demand, according to the International Energy Agency.
A fuel power plant in Lithuania is being dismantled to be reconstructed in Kyiv, where 80% of the thermal plants and a third of the hydropower facilities have been damaged.
Von der Leyen aims to restore about 2.5 GW of power, which constitutes 15% of Ukraine’s requirements.
Additionally, the EU intends to boost exports to provide Ukraine with 2 GW of electricity.
The EU is preparing to offer Kyiv up to €40 billion in new loans by the end of the year, regardless of the involvement of the United States, according to reports by the Financial Times.
This unilateral push comes as concerns grow in Brussels that Hungary may block the EU’s effort to provide the guarantees the U.S. requires to participate in the plan to utilize frozen Russian assets.
The plan, which allows the EU to leverage windfall profits from frozen Russian assets, is aimed at financing the joint purchase of weapons for Kyiv.
This financial aid is critical to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict, especially as the country continues to face economic challenges and military pressures.
The EU’s commitment to Ukraine remains firm, but the involvement of other global powers, such as the US, could be affected by domestic political dynamics, adding to the urgency for European action.
