On the second day of the IEA Ministerial Meeting in Paris on February 19, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held a series of bilateral meetings and negotiations aimed at strengthening cooperation with partners to support the recovery and resilience of Ukraine’s energy sector.
Denys Shmyhal discussed the possibility of transferring equipment needed by Ukraine for repairing energy facilities and enhancing their protection with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot. The Minister of Energy thanked Mr. Barrot for France’s humanitarian assistance, including support for Ukraine’s energy sector. In particular, this includes more than 50 shipments of transformers, generators, and other equipment for repairing damaged facilities.
During a meeting with Denmark’s Minister for Climate and Energy Lars Aagaard, Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude for an additional EUR 20 million allocated to support Ukraine’s energy sector and for Denmark’s readiness to increase its assistance. They also discussed Denmark’s support in supplying energy equipment for repairs.
The Minister of Energy also met with Latvia’s Minister for Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis. They focused on joint projects to modernize Ukrainian energy facilities. Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance and value of Latvia’s support for Ukraine.
“We highly appreciate the assistance provided, particularly energy equipment for repairs following Russian attacks. Special thanks to our friendly Latvia for the generators and transformers supplied to Kyiv, as well as for the readiness to transfer a new batch of equipment from Latvian power plants. We value our partnership with the Republic of Latvia in strengthening the energy resilience of our countries and regional energy security,” Denys Shmyhal noted.
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy also informed European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen about the current priorities of Ukraine’s energy sector and thanked the EU for providing 500 generators to Ukraine.
“This has helped ensure heat and water supply to homes amid intensified Russian strikes on critical infrastructure. I thank the European Commission for its continued support of Ukraine and for our joint work on regional energy security,” Denys Shmyhal said.
Speaking at the International Energy Agency event in Paris, “Global Cooperation to Strengthen Resilience and Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector,” Denys Shmyhal thanked the Chair of the IEA Ministerial Meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth of the Netherlands Sophie Hermans, and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol for organizing the Ministerial Meeting, where Ukraine was made a priority.
He stressed that throughout the full-scale war, the enemy has deliberately targeted Ukraine’s energy sector — power plants, thermal power plants, substations, transmission lines, and gas infrastructure.
Therefore, together with international partners, Ukraine is working to strengthen infrastructure protection; develop comprehensive response capabilities; create reserves of critical equipment; decentralize energy assets; and ensure both cyber and physical protection of facilities.
“I thank all partners for their assistance and for contributing to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine. I thank everyone who stands with us,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.
