EU prepares new aid package for Ukraine’s energy and logistics sectors through Civil Protection Mechanism – European Commission
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi outlined Ukraine’s urgent energy, transport and logistics needs to European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Hadja Lahbib. Several of the requested items are expected to be provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová said this at a briefing in Brussels today, Censor.NET reports, citing Ukrinform.
Support for critical infrastructure and winter preparations
Hrnčířová explained that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had offered assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism at the request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in addition to the support Ukraine is already receiving to prepare for winter.
"Work is ongoing, but one thing is certain. We will do everything we can to keep the lights on in Ukraine. Hospitals will continue to operate, as will critical services," the spokesperson said, also recalling the plan to prepare Ukraine for winter that was announced back in February this year.
"Since the start of the war, the EU has provided nearly €1.5 billion in humanitarian aid. In September, we announced an additional €52 million, bringing total aid for this year to around €200 million," she said.
Assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
The spokesperson said no special procedures were needed to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for Ukraine because it already serves as a standing channel of solidarity through which the EU supplies generators, transformers and other energy equipment. "So we are now preparing both assistance through the Civil Protection Mechanism and humanitarian support for Ukraine."
Commissioner Lahbib spoke with Prime Minister Koretskyi yesterday to learn more about Ukraine’s specific needs amid Russian attacks on its infrastructure.
"They had a very thorough discussion about exactly what Ukraine needs. Your prime minister spoke about strikes on cities that affect civilians every day. He also mentioned urgent needs in transport, energy infrastructure, logistics and other areas. Commissioner Lahbib outlined the specific support we can provide in the energy, transport and logistics sectors, including support for bridge and rail infrastructure and equipment for public transport," Hrnčířová explained.
She said the EU’s goal was "to provide the right aid in the right place, to those who need it, at the right time." The spokesperson added that Lahbib and Koretskyi would speak again today and that a detailed assessment of "exactly what Ukraine needs and where" was expected to be released during the conversation.
"On that basis, we can prepare the necessary technical solutions and provide the assistance Ukraine is requesting," the spokesperson concluded.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism includes all 27 EU member states and 10 partner countries.
The EU also has its own strategic reserves under the rescEU program, which can be used to support Ukraine. Last winter, thousands of generators and transformers were delivered to Ukraine from those EU strategic reserves.
