Von der Leyen arrives in Kyiv promising Ukraine electricity funds for winter

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Friday promising funds for Ukraine's damaged energy grid, partly financed with money collected from frozen Russian assets.

Ukrainians are facing electricity blackouts and an uncertain winter ahead, with Russia continuing to target key civilian infrastructure — including vital power plants leaving parts of the country's east without power for hours at a time.

On Thursday, the European Commission pledged an extra €160 million to help fortify Ukraine’s energy network, with €100 million euros of that collected from windfall profits the EU has earned from interest on frozen Russian assets.

Another €60 million is pledged for humanitarian aid and shelters for civilians forced from their homes by Russian airstrikes.

Since August, Russia has escalated attacks across Ukraine in response to the Ukrainian military's surprise offensive on the region of Kursk.

Even before a fresh wave of attacks, more than two-thirds of Ukraine’s pre-war power generation capacity was destroyed, damaged or under occupation, according to the International Energy Agency.

“My 8th visit to Kyiv comes at a crucial time. Heating season starts in two weeks and Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure aims to inflict maximum damage”, said von der Leyen on her arrival to Kyiv.

“We will help Ukraine in its brave efforts to overcome this,” she added.

Von der Leyen will also seek an update from Zelenskyy on Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union, as well as the use of loans organised by the Group of Seven to bolster Ukraine's economy.

"We'll discuss global support for Ukraine’s plans for peace and recovery."