European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Friday for her eighth visit since the onset of the Russian invasion, where she is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior officials. The visit comes as Ukraine braces for the upcoming winter amid ongoing Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.
Von der Leyen announced on social media platform X that her trip coincides with the critical period before the heating season begins, emphasizing the urgency of European support as Ukraine’s energy grid remains under constant threat from Russian assaults. She highlighted that the discussions would focus on winter preparation, defense, and financial aid for Ukraine.
Just prior to her arrival in Kyiv, on September 19, von der Leyen confirmed that the European Union would contribute €160 million to bolster Ukraine’s energy system ahead of the winter. The International Energy Agency has warned that the approaching winter will pose the most significant challenge to Ukraine’s energy system since the war began, with the grid already nearing collapse due to relentless Russian strikes on key infrastructure.
In response to the ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on March 5, 2024, for Admiral Viktor Sokolov, Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and Lieutenant General Sergey Kobylash, Commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Both are accused of war crimes for their roles in the targeted destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences. Sokolov and Kobylash are also suspected of committing crimes against humanity through the widespread damage inflicted on civilian populations.
