EU to activate emergency assistance mechanism to support Ukraine's energy sector, Zelenskyy

The European Union will activate a special emergency assistance mechanism to help Ukraine address severe disruptions to its energy infrastructure caused by Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced.

Zelenskyy said he had discussed the situation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and agreed on the mechanism, which will allow Ukraine to receive funding more quickly for its most urgent needs.

Russian strikes have left several Ukrainian cities and communities facing severe shortages of electricity, water and heating. According to Zelenskyy, the situation is particularly difficult in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy and Donetsk regions, as well as in Kherson.

The discussions also covered additional energy and humanitarian assistance ahead of winter, as well as Ukraine's progress towards EU membership.

Zelenskyy welcomed the European Commission's latest annual enlargement assessment, which he said recognised Ukraine's progress. He stressed the importance of opening all negotiating clusters and subsequently completing the relevant chapters.

The Ukrainian president also said discussions had taken place in Brussels on the country's reconstruction plan and security guarantees from European partners.

He added that he and von der Leyen had coordinated their positions ahead of the planned meeting in Abu Dhabi, expressing hope that the trilateral format would produce tangible results.