Ukrainian PM Shmyhal: Ukraine needs support as it prepares for harsh winter amid Russian attacks on critical infrastructure

Ahead of winter, Ukraine faces urgent challenges, including providing drinking water to its southern regions, ensuring energy and heating supplies, and constructing defenses for critical infrastructure, said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, as reported by Ukrinform.

Experts and politicians predict that the winter of 2024-2025 will be the toughest during the war, as Russian missile strikes have destroyed much of Ukraine’s energy system.

“The government’s recovery priorities remain unchanged: energy, reconstruction of housing and critical infrastructure, humanitarian demining, and support for the private sector.

As we approach a difficult winter, we have a number of urgent needs and tasks: providing drinking water to the population in southern Ukraine, restoring housing, ensuring energy and heating supplies, and constructing levels two and three of protection for critical infrastructure facilities,” he emphasized.

Regarding resource mobilization, Shmyhal highlighted two key directions: external budget support for 2025 worth $38.4 billion and $50 billion from the Russian assets frozen by Western allies.

“It is important that these funds begin to reach by the end of this year,” Shmyhal claimed.

Ukraine continues to implement reforms and fulfill obligations. It is crucial that they are aligned with the country’s European integration, macroeconomic stability, and economic development goals, the official underlined.

His claims came during the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Donor Coordination Platform. In the end, the Ukrainian prime minister expressed his gratitude to all the countries and organizations involved in the work of the initiative which currently includes 23 countries and seven international financial organizations.

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