Eighth Recovery Diary episode: energy support, 20th package of sanctions and ban on Russian gas

EU NEIGHBOURS East, in partnership with Ukrainian television channel ICTV, has released the eighth episode of its ‘Recovery Diary’, which highlights the efforts of the EU and its Member States to prevent Ukrainians from freezing during a particularly harsh winter and under Russia’s deliberate attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.

The episode reminds that in February alone Norway allocated €86.5 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. Ireland also announced a contribution of €25 million. These funds will be used to finance urgent repairs to critical infrastructure. As part of the ‘Ray of Hope’ initiative, the Fund also provides hospitals across Ukraine with solar panels with battery systems. The Fund has already collected requests from more than 300 hospitals.

The episode also shows how energy equipment, mainly generators, is being supplied from the European Union and EU countries, including France, Poland, Finland, and Sweden.

The episode also focuses on the EU’s political efforts to undermine Russia’s war machine. The video lists the most important restrictive measures included into the 20th package of sanctions, which the European Commission recently proposed. In order to further reduce Russia’s revenues from the sale of energy resources, the EU proposes to impose a complete ban on maritime transport of Russian crude oil.

Another measure highlighted in the episode is the recent adoption by the EU of a regulation to phase out Russian gas exports. During February, until 1 March, EU countries must prepare national plans to diversify their blue fuel supplies.

The episode also features a report on the creation of a centre in Dnipro, with financial support from the EU, which provides shelter to people whose homes were destroyed by Russian missiles.

The European Union remains Ukraine’s strongest partner, playing a critical role in recovery, reconstruction, and the reforms needed for EU accession. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has mobilised €177.5 billion in humanitarian, financial, economic, and military assistance.

The Recovery Diary is a television series produced by EU NEIGHBOURS East in partnership with ICTV. The series documents real progress across Ukraine, highlighting recovery and reconstruction efforts supported by the EU and its Member States.

Watch the episode
Episode on YouTube