War in Ukraine: Development Minister hands over winter aid in Kyiv

Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze has arrived in Ukraine for a new visit. “I traveled to Ukraine to hand over our winter package,” said the minister upon her arrival in the capital Kiev. In the more than 1,000 days of war, Russia’s goal is to hit the energy supply so that people sit in the cold in the dark. “That’s why we have once again mobilized additional funds to help rebuild the energy supply here,” said the SPD politician. This is essential for survival in the winter temperatures.

“I want to see on site that the money actually gets to where it is needed,” she emphasized. Discussions with representatives of the government and civil society are planned during the visit. To this end, the minister wants to visit several reconstruction projects.

After a visit in May, this is Schulze’s second trip to Kiev this year and the fourth to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Millions for energy systems

The minister also visited a substation belonging to the electricity grid operator Ukrenergo (Ukrenerho) in the north of Ukraine, which was repeatedly affected by Russian attacks. Among other things, Schulze was shown newly built protective structures against Russian drone and missile attacks using foreign aid money.

“I assure you that the reconstruction of destroyed facilities is worthwhile and that every euro is used to the maximum effect,” emphasized Ukrenergo boss Olexij Brecht during the tour. The state-owned company has received more than 300 million euros from international donors for reconstruction and protection measures.

On site, the minister handed over one of seven mobile combined heat and power plants purchased for the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine. “With a mobile system like this here, you can go very quickly to where there is destruction and ensure that heat and electricity are available for the people,” she said. The system, with an output of 600 kilowatts, is transported by truck and powered by gas.

Schulze put the total amount of winter aid at 90 million euros. This could provide 2.6 million people with electricity and heat. “We notice that here in the cold. It is so important to have these mobile facilities,” she emphasized. The aim is to help Ukrainians maintain their resilience.