During a meeting co-hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, involving G7 and other allies on Tuesday, participants reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s energy sector that “remains under a brutal assault by Russia’s missile and drone strikes,” the US State Department said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
The State Department “highlighted the new $125 million package” from Washington, “including procurements of high-voltage autotransformers, mobile gas turbines to support essential public services, and distribution substation repair equipment.”
Co-hosted a meeting with @MofaJapan_en of @G7 allies & other partners on efforts to expedite energy equipment deliveries to Ukraine. We remain committed to providing Ukraine what it needs to defend, repair & replace its energy infrastructure in the face of Russia’s brutal attacks
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 25, 2023
The group also committed to continue supporting “Ukraine’s long-term vision to modernise and decarbonise its energy grid and integrate with the European system,” while reiterating their “call for Russia to halt its attacks on the people of Ukraine and their energy and heating systems.”
US’ Assistance
During the Tuesday press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price noted that the US had provided $270 million in aid to “help repair, maintain, and strengthen Ukraine’s power sector in the face of continued attacks” by Russian forces.
“The Secretary and partners also emphasized the importance of continuing to provide air defense systems, which have helped Ukraine defend effectively against Russian attacks,” Price remarked, adding that “the group reinforced its commitment to stand with Ukraine as long as it takes.”
.@StateDeptSpox on today’s @G7 + meeting: The Secretary applauded tremendous efforts by our Allies and partners to coordinate complicated logistics, procurements & delivery of critical equipment to help Ukraine repair its electricity system and maintain energy sector resilience. pic.twitter.com/X4fITa6tCo
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 24, 2023
Additionally, the G7 and partners discussed how the G7+ coordination mechanism could include “long-term reconstruction towards a modern, distributed, clean, and efficient Ukrainian energy system fully integrated with Europe.”
Japan’s Solidarity with Ukraine
Hayashi stated that Japan has supplied 300 generators and 83,500 solar lanterns “as an emergency response” to Ukraine’s electricity shortage, while considering supplying more generators.
Since January 20, 237 generators from the Government of Japan through JICA has been arriving in Ukraine. Following the provision of 25 generators last December, these generators are to be utilized for securing energy sector in Ukraine.https://t.co/eF6U2i7BF1 pic.twitter.com/vzMxt3ViNt
— MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) January 25, 2023
Additionally, he mentioned that as Japan currently holds the G7 presidency, it would “promote support for Ukraine ever more emphatically, such as winterization assistance including in the area of electricity.”
Ukraine’s Response
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba expressed his gratitude toward Japan for addressing “the issue of the energy sector support in Ukraine as one of the main agendas of G7.”
There are three major ways to address the challenge of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid: 1) providing more air defense systems to Ukraine; 2) more equipment to restore the grid, which was the focus of today’s meeting; 3) severe sanctions on Russia’s missile industry.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) January 24, 2023
In this regard, Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal noted that Kyiv continued to work with allies to expedite the repairs to restore generating and distribution facilities, diversify the energy system, and implement new energy efficiency programmes. He added that Ukraine has enough coal and gas reserves for the remaining months of winter in spite of Russia’s frequent attacks on its energy system.
Shmyhal acknowledged that the situation remained difficult, but under control, despite 40% of the Ukrainian energy system being destroyed by Russian attacks.