US suspends energy aid to Ukraine amid cold weather and infrastructure attacks
The US has suspended part of its energy aid to Ukraine amid the winter cold and ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
According to the newspaper, American and European officials are expressing concern that a significant amount of the support already announced has not yet been unlocked.
What amount is involved
According to Reuters, approximately $250 million in aid that was planned to be used for the country is being delayed:
Import of liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Restoration of damaged energy infrastructure
Stabilisation of the power grid during the peak winter period
The funds were to be used to strengthen the resilience of the energy sector after a series of attacks on generation and distribution facilities.
Reason for the delay
According to the agency, part of the funding was left in a so-called «bureaucratic vacuum» after changes in the structure of US foreign aid programmes and the actual curtailment of operations USAID in the first weeks of the new presidential administration Donald Trump.
As a result, the agreed support packages were not promptly channelled through financial mechanisms.
Risks to the power system
The delay in funding comes amid peak winter load on the power grid and regular attacks on energy facilities. Ukrainian and European officials, according to Reuters, fear that a pause in the allocation of funds could complicate preparations for new waves of attacks and cold weather.
No official statements have been made public about the complete cancellation of the aid programme - it is just a delay in unblocking funds.
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