Last week, I took part in the high level segment of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. We discussed how to shape the multilateralism of tomorrow during the Summit of the Future. The conflict in the Middle East and the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, occupied a large part of the debates, with in particular a UN Security Meeting on Saturday. With the Saudi FM Faisal Bin Farhan and the Norwegian FM Espen Barth Eide we also initiated a Global Alliance for peace and the two state solution.

With the African Union and the United Nations we took stock of our joint efforts to reform the multilateral system and help ensure the continent's stability and development. We have also had very useful meetings with the CELAC Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Ministers of the Mercosur countries. And, as usual, the UNGA week was the occasion of many other bilateral meetings with our partners.

During this week, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was of course also one of the most prominent issues in the debates. It was in particular the case at the UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, where I reaffirmed our full support for Ukraine’s fight for survival and President Zelenskyy’s proposals.  Regrettably, there is no longer unanimity in the EU about this support, since one country, Hungary, has chosen to openly endorse the Brazil-China initiative.

“The Russian invasion is in itself a major violation of international law and of the United Nations Charter. But the way in which Russia is conducting this war adds also each and every day new massive violations of international law.”

We repeated once again that the Russian invasion is in itself a major violation of international law and of the United Nations Charter. But the way in which Russia is conducting this war adds also each and every day new massive violations of international law. I would like to focus here on one of the most consequential damages Russia is causing to Ukraine: the destruction of energy infrastructure. The UN has recently warned that it “could potentially deprive the civilian population of services necessary for its survival, particularly when the winter season starts”. Electricity indeed heats homes, powers the water distribution, the schools and everything that makes civilised life possible.

A major humanitarian emergency

Currently, Ukrainians are facing 8 to 12 hours of daily electricity shortages and, according to the UN, they could face up to 20 hours without electricity per day in the coming winter. Ukraine is at risk of a major emergency in a few weeks' time that could lead to more Ukrainians being forced to leave their homes and their country.

Increased Russian attacks on energy production and transmission systems have damaged 24.5 GW of energy generation since the full-scale invasion, 68% from the pre-war capacity. Only about 10 to 11 GW of electricity production capacity remains. Since March 2024 alone, nearly 9 GW have gone missing, due notably to the largest attack since the start of Russia’s war on 26 August with more than 230 missiles and drones. The targets of Russian attacks include hydro and coal-fired power plants, as well as electricity grid substations. Large power plants are much more difficult to replace and repair than smaller substations.

We are in a race against the next waves of Russian, North Korean and maybe soon Iranian missiles, in addition to drones and glide bombs. Our Ukrainian friends have also shared information about potential Russian strikes on switchyards that supply the three nuclear power stations still operating in Ukraine. These attacks could bring them to a standstill, which will be catastrophic for the Ukrainian civilian population, and potentially lead to major nuclear accidents.

International support to keep Ukraine on the grid

Putin is trying to break the backbone of Ukraine’s resistance and dent the morale of the population. He is trying to achieve through energy collapse what he cannot obtain on the battlefield. What can we do to help Ukraine avert this emergency and its major humanitarian consequences? Last Monday, I met with the Foreign Ministers of G7 countries, on the side-lines of the UN General Assembly, to discuss this issue. There is no time for complacency.

“Putin is trying to break the backbone of Ukraine’s resistance and achieve through energy collapse what he cannot obtain on the battlefield.”

The EU, together with our Member States, has already provided €400 million out of the €629 million Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which funds repairs, as well as the supply of transformers and mobile gas turbines for power generation. Moreover, we have just signed a grant agreement topping up this fund with €96 million from the proceeds of Russian frozen assets. With ongoing repairs funded notably by the EU, the US and partners, Ukraine aims to restore about 4-5 GW of power generation by winter. To reduce the electricity shortfall, Ukraine also needs to import more from the EU. We are working to increase Ukraine’s import capacity to 2.2 GW.

Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU has also mobilised thousands of power generators and transformers. These energy items will generate power to meet the needs of 6.5 million people. Overall, we estimate that EU’s and Member States’ support to Ukraine's energy security amounts to at least € 2 billion since February 2022.

In addition, the transfer to Ukraine of a 3600 MW entire power plant from Lithuania and of a 200MW gas turbine from Estonia are currently underway. Together, we can make a difference and ensure the replacement of much of the energy missing after Russia’s destruction in spring.

“To avoid the “we repair, they destroy” scenario, air defence is key. In New York, I have again appealed to my colleagues to speed up deliveries of more air defence systems and interceptors for Ukraine.”

However, we have to avoid the “we repair, they destroy” scenario: We send material and Russian forces target it in the following days. That is why air defence is key. In New York, I have again appealed to my colleagues to speed up deliveries of more air defence systems and interceptors for Ukraine – and place more orders for production because Ukraine will probably need this for a long time.

I also reiterated the call to let Ukraine target airports and launch pads inside Russia with Western weapons. Let Ukraine strike the archers, not just the arrows! Not everybody agrees on that measure yet. However, we have promised to support Ukraine with whatever it takes for as long as it takes and the energy front will be decisive this winter.