Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced during his visit to Kyiv the government’s decision to allocate financial aid to Ukraine amounting to 4 billion Norwegian kroner, which is approximately equivalent to 17 billion hryvnias at the current exchange rate. These funds will primarily be directed towards supporting the energy sector and ensuring the stable operation of the Ukrainian state amid the war.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Support for Energy and Partnership Mechanisms
The allocated aid will reach Ukraine through international partners, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Energy Community. This will allow for the effective use of resources for the restoration and stabilization of the energy infrastructure, which is under constant attack from Russia.
“Today in Kyiv, it is minus 16 degrees Celsius. We can only imagine how cold it is when the electricity goes out, often for six hours at a time (this is an average figure; currently, in many areas of the capital and Kyiv region, there is no electricity for even longer periods – ed.). This is money that Ukraine desperately needs, and it needs it now. Several times a week, Russia attacks the infrastructure that provides electricity to ordinary people in Ukraine. Ensuring that Ukrainians can keep warm, cook food, and live their lives more or less as usual is very important for them to continue to endure this war. A war that they are fighting on behalf of all of us,” emphasized Eide.
Energy Supply Situation in Kyiv
The energy supply situation is particularly critical on the left bank of Kyiv and in the adjacent areas of Kyiv region. Following the massive Russian strike on January 9, emergency power outages continue here, and residents are forced to live on a schedule: four hours with electricity, twelve hours without. This situation significantly complicates the daily lives of citizens, especially in the face of severe frosts.
The financial support provided by Norway will help stabilize the electricity supply and meet the basic needs of millions of Ukrainians during this challenging winter period.