Ukraine will increase electricity exports to the European Union, says Volodymyr Zelensky
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that his country would increase its electricity exports to the European Union. In particular, the EU is facing an energy crisis after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We are preparing to increase our electricity exports to consumers in the European Union,” said the Ukrainian president, quoted by AFP. Zelensky’s announcement came after Russia drastically cut gas supplies to European countries in retaliation for sanctions imposed on it.
Ukraine’s president said exports would not only boost his country’s income, but also help allies resist Russian energy pressure. He further added that his government would gradually make Ukraine one of the guarantors of European energy security.
Read also : European countries sign agreements with Arab and African countries to replace Russian gas.
In mid-March, the Ukrainian electricity grid was connected to the European grid. The measure was taken to provide uninterrupted supplies despite the war. Earlier today, Russian energy giant Gazprom reportedly cut gas deliveries to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline to around 20% of capacity from 40%. The development has been confirmed by the German energy regulator.
On Tuesday, the EU agreed to cut its gas consumption to break its dependence on Russia after missile strikes on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. The missile strikes cast doubt on the grain export deal between Ukraine and Russia.
Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24. Russia is now trying to consolidate its position in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine. The region includes two breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Earlier this month, Moscow claimed to have fully captured Luhansk province.
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