KIEV – Ukraine has declared an energy emergency. Ukraine has declared an energy emergency in light of the energy crisis caused by extreme cold weather and the Russian invasion.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the capital, Kyiv, has been particularly affected. Thousands of citizens have reportedly been left without electricity, heat, and water due to Russian missile and drone attacks.
Zelensky has accused Russia of using harsh winter conditions as a war strategy. Temperatures in Kiev have dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius in recent days. About 70 percent of Kiev was completely dark for several hours after a fierce attack last week.
After a special meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said a special task force would be formed to work 24 hours a day to repair damaged energy infrastructure. He also announced plans to purchase the necessary energy equipment and resources from abroad and replace the destroyed infrastructure.
The First Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Energy, has been given the lead in helping affected communities and citizens, he said in a post on the micro-blogging website X. It also indicated that the number of emergency assistance centers in Kyiv would be increased, the system for providing heat and electricity to citizens would be strengthened, and the current midnight curfew could be relaxed somewhat to this end.
The steps come as US President Donald Trump has criticized Ukraine for its lack of readiness to reach a peace deal to end the Ukraine-Russia war. Speaking to Reuters, Trump said Zelensky was less willing to make a deal than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both Zelensky and Trump are expected to attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland next week. Trump has indicated that no formal meeting with Zelensky has been planned. Agency
