By Udesinanna Stephen
Amidst the ongoing military contact between Russia and Ukraine, the Group of 7 (G7) comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States have met to furnish support for the Ukraine energy sector.
The meeting came following assumptions that the Russian forces are damaging Ukraine’s energy infrastructures to cripple the country’s power sector.
This was contained in a media statement attributed to the Spokesperson of the United State Secretary of State, Matthew Miller.
The statement reads in full, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken co-hosted with Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii the fourth Foreign Ministers meeting of G7 and other key partners (G7+) to reaffirm our collective support for the repair and defense of Ukraine’s energy sector as Ukraine faces ongoing Russian attacks aimed to damage Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
“The Secretary and his counterparts commended the Ukrainian people on their bravery, resilience, and perseverance through more than 18 months of barbaric Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The ministers called on Russia to end its brutal and unjustified attacks against Ukraine and its people.
“The group reviewed deliveries of critical equipment including high-voltage autotransformers and emergency backup power systems, which Ukraine will need to stabilize its power grid and ensure continuity of essential services like heating and water treatment. Partners committed to supporting and accelerating Ukraine’s additional critical energy sector needs, including defense of existing infrastructure and humanitarian demining assistance to facilitate repairs.
“Building on the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference in London and looking ahead to COP-28 and the 2024 URC in Berlin, G7+ partners agreed that as they continue to support immediate needs, they will also support Ukraine’s vision of a more decentralised, resilient, and cleaner energy system that is fully integrated with Europe. The group commended Ukraine’s progress this year on key reform efforts such as the passage of Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency and anti-monopoly legislation to create a business-enabling environment that will attract the significant private sector investments needed to transform Ukraine into a clean energy hub, part of the global energy supply chain, and a future member of the European Union.” He added.