German Foreign Minister Annalena Barbock has announced an additional 200 million euros to support Ukrainians during their third winter of war amid Russia’s continued attacks on infrastructure, she said during a visit to Kiev.
The money will be used so that homes close to the front lines without energy supplies can also receive fuel and “Ukrainians can be provided with essentials such as blankets or warm winter coats to protect them from the freezing temperatures,” she said during a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in the capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is now seeking military help from North Korea and redoubling his efforts in eastern Ukraine, Baerbock said.
He deliberately targets lifelines across the country, bombing power stations and destroying power lines in what she describes as an insidious strategy, destroying almost two-thirds of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving people without electricity and heat.
The additional humanitarian aid is not support for the energy sector, but is intended for emergency measures for the population in winter, such as solid fuels for homes on the front line, insulation, winter clothing, blankets and cash assistance.
The latter amount brings Germany’s aid to Ukraine for humanitarian purposes – such as mine clearance – to 390 million euros.
