Even before February 24, 2022, the U.S. helped Ukraine disconnect from the Russian energy system and connect to the European grid by investing in backup power sources and energy supply. This strengthened energy resilience and prepared the country for Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, CNN reports, citing former national security official Brett McGurk.
Source: OBOZREVATEL
According to him, the U.S. played a key role in disconnecting Ukraine’s energy system from Russia and rapidly synchronizing it with the European network. Special Presidential Envoy for Energy Amos Hochstein coordinated efforts between the White House and European partners. The integration was completed just a few hours before the first Russian strikes on February 24, 2022.
In addition to the integration, the U.S. provided:
- Mobile generators and backup power sources for hospitals, water systems, and heating systems;
- Delivery of thermal kits and local heaters to vulnerable regions;
- Increased energy resource reserves ahead of winter;
- Electricity imports from the EU and additional fuel and gas supplies from Middle Eastern partners.
These measures allowed Ukraine to survive the harshest winters of the war and withstand Russian attacks on thermal and hydroelectric power plants and substations, avoiding large-scale disasters and maintaining a minimal level of stability even during peak periods of shelling.