Ukraine desperately needs fossil fuels to fight back against Vladimir Putin’s army. Kiev has filed a list of requests in Brussels for the supply of diesel, gasoline, kerosene for aircraft and generators.
On behalf of the Netherlands, D66 minister Jetten promised help during an interspersed meeting with EU energy ministers in Brussels. Deliveries are already planned from Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
Ukraine is partly dependent on Russia for gas and electricity. Hungary and Slovakia are trying to ensure that the Ukrainians are not left out in the cold by means of a reverse gas flow from west to east.
emergency connection
In order to be less dependent on the Russians, Kiev has asked for a connection to the European electricity network as soon as possible. “That is technically challenging,” says European Commissioner Kadri Simsom (Energy). “But this is something tangible that we can do for our partner. We will work with the electricity operators to connect the Ukrainian electricity system as soon as possible.”
Brussels expects that the European Union itself can safely get through the winter with natural gas. If Putin decides to turn off the gas tap, Europe can rely on emergency supplies, and all member states have made emergency plans to reduce gas consumption. According to Minister Jetten, his colleagues have not asked to increase gas production in Groningen. “That is absolutely not an issue now and I am glad that question did not come.”