European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Ukraine to provide 160 million euros ($180 million) in fresh energy assistance to help the country endure the winter. Von der Leyen mentioned that 100 million euros ($112 million) of the funds will come from Russian assets frozen in the EU as a consequence of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Approximately half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been demolished, posing challenges in heating homes, hospitals, and schools as temperatures drop in anticipation of the third consecutive winter of war. Von der Leyen emphasized that targeting energy stations through bombing impacts Ukraine severely, especially in the harsh winter conditions, potentially diminishing the morale necessary for resilience.

International Energy Agency’s head, Fatih Birol, emphasized the potential for significant consequences if the situation continues to deteriorate, leading to a potential wave of displacement as people seek shelter and heating elsewhere. Von der Leyen stressed the importance of international assistance in ensuring the well-being of the Ukrainian people and maintaining economic stability during the upcoming winter season.

Efforts will focus on repairing the damaged energy infrastructure, with initiatives such as Lithuania disassembling a thermal power plant to transport and rebuild it in Ukraine. The EU aims to decentralize energy production in Ukraine by introducing solar panels and new technologies to reduce the vulnerability of the energy grid to Russian attacks and facilitate a transition towards a greener economy.

Since the invasion in February 2022, the EU has provided a total of at least 2 billion euros ($2.24 billion) in energy support to Ukraine. Von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss energy-related matters.