Denys Shmyhal explained to the MPs how secure the energy facilities are and why oil transit to the EU continues
10 January 2025 15:56
The sustainability of the Ukrainian energy sector and energy cooperation with foreign partners was a topic that came up several times during the talks between the Prime Minister and MPs in the Verkhovna Rada. [ Komersant will summarize what the Ukrainian Prime Minister said.
How secure are energy facilities?
Denys Shmyhal said that all Ukrainian energy facilities are currently protected by the first level of shelters. It was decided to protect 84 large Ukrenergo facilities with the second level. This pool of large substations was divided into three stages. As of today, 69 facilities in the first stage have been protected and transformers have been rolled up into shelters. Another 13 facilities will be protected in January. In addition, the construction of third-level shelters has begun to protect 22 substations from missile attacks.
Why oil transit to Europe should not be stopped
According to the Prime Minister, oil transit through the territory of Ukraine is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Association Agreement with the EU. In addition, back in June 2022, the European Union made an exception to its sanctions, allowing Hungary and Slovakia to receive oil via the Ukrainian route.
Accordingly, stopping oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline would be a direct violation of Ukraine’s Energy Charter Treaty and the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. In addition, Ukraine’s breach of its obligations to transit Russian oil may give rise to financial claims from Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Is it possible to stop electricity supplies from Slovakia?
As explained by Denys Shmyhal, Slovakia and the Slovak power grid are actually part of the unified grid, meaning that even if the Slovak side were technically able to close its entrances to Ukraine for a short period of time for repairs, the corresponding amount of electricity would be redistributed proportionally among other supplier countries according to the rules of the unified market. The Prime Minister assured that the Ukrainian side is in direct contact with the European Commission and is constantly monitoring the situation.
