Ukraine has fuel reserves for more than 20 days

Ukraine has fuel reserves for more than 20 days, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal told parliament yesterday, describing the overall energy situation in the country as very difficult following a series of Russian drone and missile attacks on power infrastructure. 

Shmyhal, who took office earlier this week, said the most challenging situation remains in the capital Kyiv, the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Odesa, and in towns near the frontline, where thousands of homes have been without electricity and heating for days in subzero temperatures. 

“In some cities and regions, winter preparations have failed. Over the past two days in office, I’ve seen that many things are clearly stalling,” he said. 

“There is not a single power plant left in Ukraine that the enemy has not attacked.” 

On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would declare a state of emergency in the energy sector to make up for lost time and address issues of disrupted power supplies following sustained Russian attacks.

Shmyhal, who previously served as prime minister and defence minister, ordered emergency imports of electricity. He said that Ukraine needs to install 2.2-2.7 GW of electricity generation capacity by the end of 2026 to meet its consumption needs.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is considering ways to allow Ukraine’s quick accession to the EU as part of a peace deal with Russia but without giving Kyiv full membership rights, which would only be “earned” after transition periods, EU officials said.

The idea, which is at a very early stage, is intended as a possible gesture to Ukrainians who are seeking EU membership as part of a post-war security guarantee from Europe and who after four years of fighting off a Russian invasion want a credible promise that they are on the path toward economic stability and integration with the West.

Ukrainian EU membership in 2027 was pencilled into a 20-point peace plan discussed between the United States, Ukraine and the European Union, diplomats said, as a measure to ensure Ukraine’s economic prosperity after the war ends. 

A Ukrainian delegation is en route to the US for talks on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday, expressing hope the documents could be signed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.