Zelensky said the blockage of EU funds has significantly constrained Ukraine’s ability to rapidly reinforce energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks, increasing pressure on domestic resources ahead of the next winter season.

“Although it is difficult to meet all the needs through the blocking of European funds for Ukraine – those funds that were supposed to go to restoration, new protection for the winter, and to the development of alternative networks and generation,” Zelensky said in his address from western Ukraine’s Transcarpathia.

“Now we are going to the internal resource, but we are working with partners to unlock this key support package,” he added.