High-level dialogue explores key measures for funding investments in Ukraine’s energy security

Ministers and other high-level officials from around the world recently met to discuss ways to support Ukraine's energy future, focusing on measures that would strengthen the security of its energy system and options for financing them.

The event in Paris took place on 18 February during the IEA's 2026 Ministerial Meeting and was led by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans of the Netherlands, who chaired the IEA Ministerial; IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol; Lithuania's Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas; and Poland's Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka. It included the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal of Ukraine.

Ukraine is implementing short-term measures to safeguard its energy infrastructure amid ongoing Russian attacks, while also advancing a longer-term vision for a more secure and resilient energy system. To accomplish this, it is taking steps such as decentralising its energy supply by expanding distributed energy resources, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing the flexibility and digital capabilities of its power grids.

Participants spoke about the depth of Ukraine's current energy crisis, with Russian attacks paralysing much of the country's energy system and impeding reliable access to electricity, heating and other basic services. They emphasised the need for ongoing cooperation to help the country meet its energy needs, which they stressed is integral to its broader security. Deputy Prime Minister Shmyhal, who also serves as Ukraine's Energy Minister, said that while the country's energy situation remains severe, it is moving towards systemic solutions to strengthen its resilience, both now and in the future. He underscored the importance for Ukraine of working with its partners to achieve its energy goals.

During the event, energy ministers from many different governments - along with leaders from financial institutions and the private sector - spoke about financing mechanisms to support these efforts. They emphasised that spending from both domestic and international sources is necessary and discussed how public funding can be leveraged to catalyse investment from the private sector.

Other high-level participants from government, development banks and the Ukrainian and global energy sector spoke about topics such as the physical protection measures that would bolster Ukraine's energy security, how the country's energy system can be further integrated with Europe's, and how to build on G7+ Energy Coordination Group efforts to deliver energy sector assistance this winter.

During the IEA Ministerial Meeting, ministers of nine IEA Members and the European Commission issued a joint statement reiterating their support for the IEA-Ukraine Collaboration Programme, which was established in 2025. They underscored the initiative's importance in producing key analysis on Ukraine's energy situation and called for the IEA to further intensify work on enabling investment in the country's energy sector.

For decades, the IEA has worked closely with Ukraine, which formally joined the IEA Family as an Association country in 2022. This allowed for even deeper collaboration on energy issues, with the Agency publishing a 10-point plan ahead of the 2024-25 winter, along with a 2025-26 update and a roadmap for decentralising Ukraine's power system. Earlier this month, the IEA released a report highlighting key lessons from Ukraine that can inform energy resilience planning worldwide.