Zelensky listened to Shmyhal's report on the situation in the energy sector
President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 18 listened to a report by First Vice Prime Minister — Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal on the current situation in the energy sector. A separate topic was Ukraine's priorities in communication with international partners on energy issues.
Zelensky did not disclose the details of the report and did not specify which new decisions were discussed. However, earlier in August, Shmyhal publicly outlined the main needs with which Ukraine is addressing partners ahead of the next heating season. Among them — repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure, forming reserves of critical equipment, development of distributed generation and attracting funds for purchasing natural gas.
Ukraine forms equipment reserve for winter
One of the key areas remains creating an emergency reserve of equipment that can be quickly used after new Russian strikes. According to the Ministry of Energy, since the beginning of 2026, about 5.7 thousand tons of international assistance have arrived in special energy hubs. The government sets the task of forming a threefold reserve of the most critical equipment.
Ukraine also negotiates with other states on transferring equipment decommissioned abroad but still suitable for use. More than 3.3 thousand tons of such equipment have already been received from combined heat and power plants in Germany and Lithuania, and additional supplies from Latvia are expected. Previously, Ukrainian specialists in Germany inspected generators, transformers, cables, pumps and distribution equipment considered for transfer to Ukrainian energy companies.
A significant part of work with partners is related to financing. According to the Ministry of Energy's assessment, uncovered needs of the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine exceed 507 million euros. About 600 million euros more are needed for energy companies for financial stabilization of the balancing market.
A separate issue — gas reserves before the cold season. The Ministry of Energy estimates the additional need of the Naftogaz group for financing imports at about 400 million euros. Ukraine also hopes to attract funds for this with the help of international partners.
Aid directed to affected regions
Shmyhal discussed practical application of international assistance on August 18 also at a meeting of the energy headquarters on the situation in the Kherson region. After another Russian attack, energy workers accelerate restoration works, and together with the military they work out strengthening protection of energy facilities.
For one of the Kherson region communities, a powerful power transformer provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA has already been transferred from the Ministry of Energy hubs. In July, the region also received an energy storage system with a capacity of 1 MW, which should increase the resilience of local energy supply.
In addition, at the requests of enterprises of the Kherson region, the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine approved procurement of critically necessary equipment for more than 27 million euros. Contracts have already been signed for 13.1 million euros. Since the beginning of 2026, the region has received 52.8 tons of equipment and materials from the Ministry of Energy hubs, including 272 transformers and 90 generators.
Another area of work with partners will be preparation for the next meeting of the G7+ coordination group on energy, also called the “Energy Ramstein”. Its fifth ministerial meeting is scheduled for September. Ukraine plans to use the meeting for additional coordination of equipment supplies and financing of the energy sector needs before winter.
Thus, current negotiations with partners are focused primarily on the resources necessary for passing the heating season and rapid recovery after possible new attacks: transformers, generators and other equipment, distributed generation, financing of gas imports and replenishment of the Energy Support Fund.
By materials: Volodymyr Zelensky, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine
