We Must Ensure Real Opportunity to Get Energy Despite Russian Terror and Continue Strengthening Air Defense – the President of Ukraine

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Energy generation programs, energy decentralization and capacity increase were discussed today by participants of the extended meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Head of State pointed out that because of the Russian terrorist attacks on our energy facilities and the destruction of a significant part of power generation, energy challenges are the number one priority today, and the issue of preparing for winter is particularly topical.

"The Government of Ukraine has been given a clear task, namely, to develop a package of solutions so that our people, all Ukrainian communities, Ukrainian businesses can overcome this situation and have a real opportunity to get energy for themselves, despite Russian terror," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the beginning of the meeting.

The President is convinced that the solution to energy issues is comprehensive and requires strong air defense and steps to support citizens, ensure physical defense and reconstruction of energy facilities, cooperation with partners on electricity imports from the EU to Ukraine and the possibility of creating new generating capacities.

"We need full support for communities, for people, for enterprises, for business. It is very important that new generating capacities could be created locally and that the decentralization of Ukraine's energy potential could truly be extended to the whole country," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The Head of State thanked the partners from the G7 and other countries for strengthening the air defense: today a new system from Germany was put into operation, and there is also a reinforcement from the United States. He also expressed his hope that the NATO Summit will bring significant results in the protection of Ukrainian skies.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, emphasized that all state support instruments should be accessible, transparent, understandable and as simple as possible. "The economy is in dire need of additional generation. Therefore, financial instruments for citizens, condominiums and businesses should start working as soon as possible," he said. It is necessary to take into account the possible risks of new strikes on the most critical areas of the energy system, to reserve funds in advance, to take care of specialists who will quickly design, install and adjust the operation of new equipment.

Andriy Yermak announced the launch of regular briefings on the situation in Ukraine chaired by the Minister of Energy and attended by the heads of regional military administrations, mayors, and international partners. This should ensure coordinated and transparent work as well as public reporting on the status of local events related to energy issues.

"It is important that everyone understands what kind of our partners' equipment was delivered and how it works, where it is still missing and when it will appear, where help is still needed, and where we have successes or challenges. This information should be widely covered in the media, and every citizen of Ukraine should understand what is happening in each community and that everything is really being done to ensure light and heat," the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal stated that the Government is already working on the tasks set on the instructions of the President, focusing on energy system decentralization. According to the Prime Minister, key steps in this direction have already been taken.

Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine, spoke in detail about a number of programs implemented by the government. These include interest-free loans to citizens for the installation of energy equipment, loans to businesses for energy efficiency and alternative generation, the possibility for condominiums and housing cooperatives to join the program of preferential loans for the installation of alternative electricity generation equipment, and the extension of the state program "5-7-9%" for the purchase and installation of gas-fired power generation units. The interest rate will be reduced for the de-occupied and frontline territories. According to Yuliia Svyrydenko, the programs will start working on July 20 this year.

German Galushchenko, Minister of Energy of Ukraine spoke about the decisions already taken on energy sector activities for the period of martial law, which simplify the regulatory policy and the connection of new capacities to the power grid.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Presidential Office, Government officials, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyy, foreign diplomats, representatives of international organizations, heads of regional military administrations, representatives of communities and local authorities. Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Head of the Office of the President and Executive Secretary of the Presidium, confirmed the authority of the meeting, attended by almost 160 participants.

Regional representatives had an opportunity to share their experience in implementing projects and engaging in government programs for energy recovery. Participants of the meeting were informed about the situation in the Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Lviv, and Kyiv regions.