The G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group held a virtual meeting on 12 December to reaffirm support for Ukraine's energy security and condemn Russia's deliberate strikes on energy infrastructure, according to a statement from the group's co-chairs reported by Evropeiska Pravda.
Participants confirmed their support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, as well as its freedom, sovereignty and independence. They also emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire leading to a just and lasting peace.
The coordination group committed to strengthening Ukraine's position through several measures. First, it pledged to enhance resilience through active and passive air defense of Ukraine's energy infrastructure "to avoid prolonging the cycle of 'we restore, they destroy,'" the statement reads.
The group will continue ensuring the availability of all repair and restoration capacities in Ukraine, as well as supplying necessary equipment. It also committed to ensuring Ukraine receives sufficient gas and electricity for winter.
Additional priorities include closing the financial gap between needs and funding for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, and accelerating reform of Ukraine's energy markets to improve efficiency and resilience of energy production, transmission and distribution.
The group also pledged to support Ukraine in addressing governance issues at state-owned enterprises, taking into account all lessons "learned from current investigations in the energy sector."
In November, the European Investment Bank and EU announced over €200 million for restoration and energy resilience in Ukraine. Germany announced additional "winter" assistance of €40 million in response to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure.
On 10 December, the European Investment Bank allocated €18.4 million for energy-efficient modernization of social institutions in three Ukrainian regions.
