Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee approved on Thursday the allocation of EUR 25 million from the country’s budget to the Ukrainian Energy Support Fund (UESF) to assist Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, according to the Irish government’s website.
“Ireland is providing EUR 25 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to help Ukraine restore light and heat to people’s homes at a time when they are facing harsh winter conditions. We once again call on Russia to stop these attacks on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure,” McEntry said in Brussels, where she is attending a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The statement notes that this contribution comes at a time when civilians across Ukraine are suffering from prolonged power, heating, and water outages due to repeated Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, with winter temperatures dropping below -20 °C and many regions of Ukraine are experiencing their harshest winters in recent years.
“The people of Ukraine continue to suffer greatly. These attacks on civilian energy infrastructure have left people without heating at a time when Ukraine is facing freezing conditions. This contribution of EUR 25 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund is an important demonstration of Ireland’s continued support for Ukraine. We are determined to do everything we can to alleviate the suffering that Russia is causing in this dark and cold winter. This funding complements Ireland’s existing humanitarian and development contributions to Ukraine,” said Irish Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora Neil Richmond.
He said Ireland would continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary while Russia’s aggressive war continues, as well as on the road to recovery and reconstruction.
“Today’s announcement fulfills the commitment made by the government during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Ireland last December to support the restoration and protection of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure,” the statement said.
