Zelensky to Europeans: “We need 800 million euros to survive the winter”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy today announced the cost of how much Ukraine needs to get through the winter, citing a figure of around 800 million euros ($840+ million).

The call came as Moscow changed tactics from October when it launched airstrikes on Ukraine’s power grid. Zelenskiy asked for additional cash donations to help the country’s energy sector at an international conference in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron to raise materials and money to rebuild Ukraine’s damaged infrastructure, AFP reports.

“Of course, this is a very large amount, but its cost is less than the cost of a possible power outage,” Zelensky said at a rally in the French capital via video link. “I hope decisions will be made accordingly.”

“The key task is to preserve the main energy system of Ukraine. That is why such a format is needed,” the president said, speaking at the Solidarity with the Ukrainian People conference, which is being held in Paris on Tuesday under the chairmanship of French President Emmanuel Macron.

“We need several categories of equipment – transformers, equipment for the restoration of high-voltage networks, gas turbine and piston power units. At least until the end of the heating season, we need emergency support from the European energy system. That is, the supply of electricity from the EU countries to Ukraine. Volume – up to 2 GW. To make this possible, a decision by the European network of electricity transmission system operators to increase import capacity is needed,” he said.

Such support, Zelensky noted, could cost about 800 million euros at current prices. “This is significant. But significantly less than a blackout in Ukraine can cost us all. Therefore, I urge you to make one of the concrete results of this conference the agreement of all solutions for such support to Ukraine – the supply of electricity from the countries EU“, added the head of state.

PS At the expense of the blackout, a hint that in this case Europe will face a new wave of refugees…

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