Ireland allocates €25 million to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee has approved the allocation of €25 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund (UESF). The funds will be used to restore and protect critical energy infrastructure. 

The decision was made against the backdrop of prolonged power, heat and water outages in various regions of Ukraine caused by repeated Russian strikes on energy facilities. The situation is exacerbated by abnormally low temperatures, which in some areas have fallen below -20°C, making this winter one of the harshest in recent years. This was reported by the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The allocation of funds fulfils a commitment made by the Irish government during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Dublin in December last year. The agreements are set out in the Ukraine-Ireland Partnership Roadmap to 2030, signed by Prime Minister Michael Martin and the Ukrainian head of state. The Ukraine Energy Support Fund is administered by the Energy Community.

Speaking in Brussels at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Helen MacEntryme noted that the Ukrainian side is reporting a critical situation for the civilian population, particularly in light of the expected cold snap to -23°C. She stressed that Russia is deliberately exploiting extreme weather conditions, striking energy infrastructure and exacerbating humanitarian needs.

According to the minister, Ireland's contribution will help bring light and heat back to Ukrainian homes at a time when the country is experiencing another winter of war. She also called on Russia to stop attacks on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure.

Minister for International Development and the Diaspora Neil Richmond, for his part, stressed that the new funding is an important signal of Ireland's continued support for Ukraine. He noted that these funds complement the humanitarian and development assistance already provided, and that Dublin will continue to support Ukraine both during the war and in the recovery and reconstruction phase.

Ireland, aid to Ukraine, energy infrastructure, Ukraine Energy Support Fund, Helen McEntry, Russia's war against Ukraine, winter, humanitarian aid.