EUROPEAN COMMISSION

 

DAILY NEWS

Brussels, 24 February 2025

 

Commission steps up support for Ukraine's energy security and paves the way for full market integration

In Kyiv today, the European Commission has offered a new support package to Ukraine to secure its energy system and enable its full integration within the European energy market.

This package will allow for the full coupling of Ukraine's electricity market with the EU by early 2027, together with Moldova, as well as further integration in the EU gas sector, provided that Ukraine significantly accelerates the necessary market reforms. It will also boost the security of supply in Ukraine and the wider region, as the Commission will assist with the necessary purchases of gas.  Crucially, with a massive acceleration of domestic renewable power production, this package will increase the overall resilience of the Ukrainian energy system.

Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure has been the target of relentless Russian attacks over the past three years, with half of the country's energy infrastructure destroyed. Only a fully independent energy system can shield Ukraine from current attacks and future pressure. Ukraine's full integration with the EU energy market will act as part of the overall security guarantees the EU can provide, as well as an effective pre-condition for reconstruction as energy security is key to allow for investments to flow across the country.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “For three years, Russia has sought to plunge Ukraine into darkness by relentlessly targeting the energy infrastructure. This needs to stop for good. With the package we offer today Europe will ensure Ukraine has a resilient, secure and competitive energy system. More renewable energy and full energy markets integration will bring to greater energy security both for Ukraine and the European Union.”

An energy security and integration package for Ukraine

The package offered in Kyiv today consists of:

The package will facilitate electricity market integration with the EU by spring 2027, together with Moldova, as well as further integration in the EU gas sector. This will be possible if Ukraine speeds up the implementation of existing commitments under the Ukraine Plan and the Energy Community in relation to legal, regulatory and public service obligation frameworks. This includes establishing a support mechanism for vulnerable households. 

The Commission will assist in funding gas purchases, especially through the Ukraine Facility together with its implementing partners.  This will result in ample gas reserves to ensure security of supply, benefiting both Ukraine and the wider region.

The package will accelerate investments in renewable energy, adding up with up to 1.5 GW of generation capacity. This represents approximately a 25% increase of total renewable energy generation capacity in Ukraine. Support will be channelled from the Ukraine Facility.

These new measures will build on over €2 billion of EU support delivered over the past three years to increase the resilience of Ukraine's energy system and to guarantee people's access to energy. Support will be primarily via the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as humanitarian aid and proceeds from Russian immobilised assets.

Substantial support delivered

The EU has delivered on each of the three priorities set out by President von der Leyen in September when she presented a €156 million package to address the immediate needs of the Ukrainian population ahead of winter while strengthening energy systems:

Repair: 1.8 GW of power capacity from thermal power plants repaired.

Stabilise: Wind and solar projects rolled out across Ukraine to bring energy security to critical services as well as households and businesses, including via the “Ray of Hope” project which is allowing for the installation of solar panels to power hospitals.

Connect: EU electricity exports for winter increased with commercial capacity reaching 2.1 GW and an emergency buffer extra capacity of 250 MW.

Today in Kyiv, the Commission and Ukraine also agreed on a roadmap to step up cooperation on renewable gases. By providing alternative and cleaner supplies, this will strengthen energy security in the EU and in Ukraine, while supporting development and investments in the renewable gas sector in Ukraine.

Quote(s)

 

 For three years, Russia has sought to plunge Ukraine into darkness by relentlessly targeting the energy infrastructure. This needs to stop for good. With the package we offer today Europe will ensure Ukraine has a resilient, secure and competitive energy system. More renewable energy and full energy markets integration will bring to greater energy security both for Ukraine and the European Union. 

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

 

 In uncertain times, reliable friends matter even more. Today we provide a new energy security and integration package to help Ukraine gain control over its long-term energy supplies, laying the groundwork for its successful reconstruction and accelerated integration in the Union. This is essential to ensure Ukraine is never again subject to energy blackmail and to strengthen the security of our continent as a whole. 

Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

 

 Russia’s continued atrocious attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, to keep in the dark and the cold the unbreakable Ukrainian people, is a stark reminder of the importance of achieving energy independence. This is a key strategic goal both for the EU and Ukraine. Our energy security, which powers our competitiveness and prosperity, cannot be held hostage by anyone. More homegrown renewables and better interconnections amongst us is the best guarantee for a better and safer future together. 

Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing

 

Joint statement by the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Parliament

Three years ago, Russia started its full-scale and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia's brutal war deliberately targets civilian and critical infrastructure. The Ukrainian people have shown bravery in defending their country and the core principles of international law. We pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives and have lost loved ones for Ukraine's independence and freedom.

Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population. We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed. We welcome the recent steps made towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

The European Union and its partners have acted swiftly and in unity to support Ukraine. The European Union has provided to Ukraine economic, humanitarian, financial and military assistance that totals to EUR 135 billion, with EUR 48.7 billion of military assistance. The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support, including reconstruction of the country after the war.

Russia and its people are paying a price for their leader's actions. Together with partners, we have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war and remain ready to increase the pressure on Russia to limit its ability to wage war. We are already using windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's defence industry and energy recovery. Today, we have adopted a sixteenth sanctions package to further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression.

In parallel, we have taken unprecedented actions at the EU level to ramp up European defence industry production, and we will continue to increase our capacity. This will allow us to step up our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening our defence readiness and European sovereignty.

Ukraine is part of our European family. Ukrainians have expressed their wish for a future within the European Union. We have acknowledged that by granting Ukraine the status of candidate country and launched accession negotiations. Ukraine has made significant progress in accession related reforms under the most challenging circumstances. We are already integrating Ukraine into the EU's internal market. The future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union.

In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine. We highlight the need to ensure the international community's continued focus on supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula.

We stand firm with Ukraine, reaffirming that peace, security, and justice will prevail.

 

Statement by President von der Leyen at the International Summit on the Support of Ukraine in Kyiv

"Check against delivery"

Dear Volodymyr,

24 February 2022 is a day that will live forever in infamy.

Today we join you in remembrance of the fallen heroes of Ukraine, and those still fighting on the frontlines.

A peaceful nation was invaded, with no reason except Putin's imperial obsession. But we believe in a free and sovereign Ukraine on its path towards the European Union. And we join you to shape this future together.

The war in Ukraine remains the most central and consequential crisis for Europe's future. Putin is trying harder than ever to win this war on the ground. His goal remains Ukraine's capitulation. And then we know what could happen next. Because it has already happened before.

It is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It is Europe's destiny. So our first priority remains to empower Ukraine's resistance. So far, our Union and Member States have supported Ukraine to the tune of EUR 134 billion. That is more than anybody else.

Thanks to our Ukraine Facility and the G7 loan, we have closed Ukraine's budgetary gap for the entire year 2025.

In parallel, we must speed up the immediate delivery of weapons and ammunition. And this will be at the heart of our work in the coming weeks.

Today, I am here with the College of the European Commission. A free and sovereign Ukraine is not only in the European interest but also in the interest of the entire world. Autocrats around the world are watching very closely whether there is any impunity if you invade your neighbour and violate international borders. Or if there is true deterrence.

This is not only paramount for Europe. It is also important for Asia, for Africa, and both sides of the Atlantic. An investment in Ukraine's sovereignty is an investment in the prevention of future wars.

And there is more in it for Europe and the world. Ukraine has a highly innovative and thriving defence industry. This should never fuel the arsenals of an aggressive power, but strengthen the resilience of a European Union that is taking on more responsibility for its own security.

Ukraine has a lively start-up scene with a lot of expertise in rising sectors like AI and drones. The can-do attitude and entrepreneurial spirit of young and dynamic Ukrainian companies can provide important impulses to Europe's competitiveness. 

Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine in this critical moment. I can announce that a new EUR 3.5 billion payment for Ukraine will arrive already in March.

And as President Costa just said, there is a special European Council. I will present a comprehensive plan on how to scale up our European arms production and defence capabilities. And Ukraine will also benefit.

When we talk about security, we are not just talking about the military dimension. The people here in Ukraine know this very well. For three years, Russia has sought to plunge Ukraine into darkness by relentlessly targeting the energy infrastructure.

We have prepared an ambitious package on energy security. The aim is to ensure a resilient, secure and competitive energy system for Ukraine. We will fully integrate Ukraine's and Moldova's electricity market with our electricity market by the end next year. And we will seize the full potential of Ukraine's vast gas storages, of which 80% are located close to EU Member States.

This generates income for Ukraine. And we will accelerate investments in Ukraine's renewable energy. All these efforts will result in greater energy security for both – Ukraine and the European Union.

Finally, no one wants more peace than the people of Ukraine. But a just and lasting peace only comes through strength. This is why we strengthen your economy. This is why we increase the resilience of your energy supply. This is why we will continue training and equipping your troops. Think of the importance of artillery ammunition, for example.

And today we are adopting our 16th package of sanctions. We will increase punitive sanctions against Russia, unless they demonstrate true willingness to achieve a lasting peace agreement.

Slava Ukraini.

 

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