Sybiga in New York called for a response to Russia's preparations for strikes on Ukraine's energy sector

Sybiga in New York called for a response to Russia's preparations for strikes on Ukraine's energy sector Irina Martsiyash

Sybiga at the ministerial G7+ meeting in New York/Photo by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry

Andrey Sybiga took part in the G7+ ministerial meeting in New York. There, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on allies to immediately strengthen the Ukrainian energy system on the eve of winter.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Monday, September 23.

Sybiha called for strengthening the Ukrainian energy system

The head of the Foreign Ministry reported that Ukrainian intelligence has information about Russia's preparations for strikes on critical nuclear energy facilities, which creates risks not only for Ukraine, but also for its partners.

Thus, Andriy Sybiha called for a decisive collective response and warnings to Moscow in order to avoid such a scenario.

First, Ukraine continues to work to strengthen the protection of these facilities. And here we count on your help. Second, we must respond decisively and quickly. Officially contact Russia and warn it to stop. Third, expanded expert missions should be provided to all relevant facilities, – Sybiha noted.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that Russian attacks against the Ukrainian energy system are war crimes, and Russia must be held accountable for them.

According to him, on the eve of winter, Ukraine needs to urgently strengthen 3 areas of assistance to the energy sector: protection, restoration and long-term sustainability.

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has clearly set the task of increasing allied assistance to the Ukrainian energy sector. This includes, first of all, strengthening the air shield to protect our energy system; urgent provision of equipment and additional generation sources; financing and investment in long-term energy sustainability. I urge you to act immediately to help Ukrainians get through this winter,” the minister emphasized.

Separately, he informed his colleagues about the current state of the Ukrainian energy network and the loss of energy capacity as a result of systematic Russian attacks. The minister emphasized that Ukraine's goal is to restore the energy system in the short and long term, as well as strengthen energy security and sustainability.

According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the development of distributed generation is an important factor in Ukraine's energy sustainability, so allies should focus on providing new generating capacities. He noted that the best solution to prevent further damage to the Ukrainian energy system is to strengthen Ukraine's air shield.

“We are grateful for all the support, but we urgently need more air defense systems, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-drone systems and, equally important, more air defense missiles. We also need more MANPADS, which have proven effective in shooting down Russian drones,” the minister emphasized.

Following the meeting, a G7+ Joint Statement on Supporting Ukraine's Energy Resilience was adopted, in which the allies recorded their readiness to provide additional support to the Ukrainian energy system, promote energy protection and investments to strengthen its long-term resilience.