Ukraine and the European Union: working together for energy resilience this winter and beyond
Chaired by Jerzy Buzek MEP, President of the EEF
Speakers:
Olga Bielkova, Corporate Affairs Director, Gas TSO of Ukraine
Iryna Skliar, Director, Representative Office in Belgium, Naftogaz of Ukraine
Yulia Burmistenko, Head of International Public Affairs, DTEK
This energy debate hosted by the EEF offered the opportunity to get a real time update on the state of play of Ukraine’s energy system.
The chair EEF President MEP Jerzy Buzek first thanked the EEF Associate Members from Ukraine for their availability to exchange on this pressing issue and reiterated the EU firm support to its neighbour.
Olga Bielkova, Corporate Affairs Director, Gas TSO of Ukraine, Iryna Skliar, Director, Representative Office in Belgium, Naftogaz of Ukraine, and Yulia Burmistenko, Head of International Public Affairs, DTEK started by outlining how the operation of Ukrainian energy system – both gas and electricity sectors – has been carried out since February 2024.
They explained how their respective companies have been relentlessly working to supply energy to businesses and citizens and offered some updates on the latest evolutions.
All the speakers underlined how valued the European Union’s solidarity vis-à-vis Ukraine is and how crucial it is in helping Ukraine cope with all current difficulties.
Just as the European Union has help to offer to Ukraine, Ukraine too has something to offer to the European Union, our speakers explained when speaking about mutual cooperation. They explained that Ukraine can be an important part of the solution to strengthen the EU energy resilience, diversify gas supply and achieve the REPowerEU as well as decarbonization targets. To actually realize this potential, Ukraine should be more integrated into the EU gas market, both in terms of infrastructure and regulation.
The initial presentations were followed by an exchange with the EEF Members and the MEPs in the audience. The speakers took the time to answer all questions, enabling participants to get an even more concrete understanding of the reality on the ground and of ways in which both policymakers and businesses could cooperate with and assist Ukraine.
Throughout the discussion, two key points continuously emerged: that solidarity is key and that reinforced EU-Ukraine cooperation can allow to develop solutions benefitting the resilience and strength of both sides.