Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to help the EU in the energy crisis with extra electricity supplies from his country. “We are preparing to increase our electricity exports to consumers in the European Union,” the head of state in Kiev said in his evening video message on Wednesday evening. “Our exports not only allow us to earn foreign exchange, but also allow our partners to withstand Russian energy pressures.”
Selenskyj alluded to declining Russian gas supplies to Europe. Gas is also needed for electricity production. Russian energy giant Gazprom had again cut supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 on Wednesday due to alleged technical problems – this time to 20 percent of maximum volume.
“Make Ukraine a guarantor of energy security”
“Step by step, we are making Ukraine one of the guarantors of European energy security, precisely through our domestic electricity production,” Zelenskyy said. Before the Russian war of aggression, which Moscow began in February, Ukraine had covered 50 percent of its electricity needs by nuclear power. The country also depended on electricity imports from Russia and Belarus.
Because production has come to a standstill due to the war, a large part of the energy is not needed, says Zelenskyj. However, Russian forces had recently captured the largest nuclear power plant in Enerhodar, a hydroelectric power station on the Dnipro River and at least two coal-fired power stations.
Russians move more troops
“We will liberate our entire country with military, diplomatic and all other instruments available,” Zelenskyy said. Looking at the bridge over the Dnipro River in southern Kherson Oblast, which was bombed by Ukrainian troops, the head of state stressed that everything would be rebuilt after the recapture.
Meanwhile, Russia is likely to arm itself against a Ukrainian offensive in the south of the country. As a senior adviser to Zelenskyi announced Thursday evening, Russia is undertaking a “mass transfer” of troops towards the three southern regions of Kherson, Melitopol and Zaporizhzhya. Oleksy Arestovych also confirmed information from pro-Russian forces, according to which the second largest power plant in the country is in Russian hands.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
