Key facts
- Zelensky said the mechanism will let the EU quickly provide Ukraine with funding for its most urgent needs.
- European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova said the aid will come under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
- The mechanism is designed to help member states respond jointly to natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
- An EU official said the support will involve assistance for Ukraine's energy sector.
- Zelensky said Kyiv and the Dnipro, Sumy, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts were hardest hit by Russian attacks.
The EU agreed to activate its special emergency mechanism to provide urgent support to Ukraine as the country faces an energy crisis caused by Russian strikes, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on November 9.
"This will make it possible to quickly provide Ukraine with funding for what is needed most right now. Our teams are already working on this," Zelensky said on X after a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The two discussed Europe's energy and humanitarian assistance as Ukraine prepares for another winter of Russian attacks.
Moscow on November 3 carried out its heaviest strike against Ukraine's energy grid of the year, according to the report. Zelensky said Kyiv, as well as the Dnipro, Sumy, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts, were hardest hit.
European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova told the Kyiv Independent that the aid will be provided under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which is designed to help member states respond jointly to natural disasters or humanitarian crises. Another EU official said the support will involve assistance for Ukraine's energy sector, as Russian attacks continue hitting the power grid to deprive Ukrainians of electricity, water and heating during winter.