An online conference sponsored by the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine on August 22 drew participants from over 40 partner countries and international organizations to discuss methods for securing energy production for Ukraine. This conference marked the beginning of a series of events aimed at implementing the agreements reached at the Peace Summit in Switzerland in June 2024, with this section entitled the “Energy Security” group.
The meeting was led by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak. It included the Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva and Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Energy German Galushchenko, his Deputy Svitlana Hrynchuk, and advisors to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna and Oleksandr Bevz also attended the meeting. Some of the countries mentioned as attending were Denmark, Norway, and Poland.
Yermak noted that the protection and development of the energy infrastructure—including transitioning to “green” sources—was vital to prevent the deepening of the economic crisis for Ukraine. Energy Minister German Galushchenko argued: “International assistance is crucial for the restoration of Ukraine’s energy system, as well as for the protection of energy infrastructure from military threats, in particular by strengthening Ukraine’s air defense by the countries that have pledged to do so.” Danish Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities Lars Aagaard emphasized that, when Denmark assumes the European Union presidency in 2025, it will ensure support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure will be a top focus. And Polish Secretary of State of the Ministry of Climate and Environment Krzysztof Bolesta also chimed in, asserting that it’s high time to cut off all imports of Russian fuels into the EU.
