On 13 November 2024, meeting of NATO-Ukraine Council at the ambassadorial level took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to address energy security and the protection of Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure in preparation for winter.

Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Energy Yuriy Sheiko and Brigadier General Oleksandr Humeniuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine joined the meeting online.

The Ministry of Energy representative briefed the Allies on the current state of Ukraine’s energy system, outlining urgent needs for critical equipment such as generators, transformers, and spare parts, as well as measures the Ukrainian authorities are taking to mitigate the impact of Russian attacks.

Yuriy Sheiko highlighted the risks posed by Russian actions to the operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, emphasizing significant threats to nuclear safety.

Brigadier General Humeniuk noted that, over the past month, the aggressor state has intensified combined airstrikes on energy infrastructure, significantly increased the production of attack drones, and continues to refine its attack tactics.

Ukrainian representatives stressed that strengthening Ukraine's air defense is crucial to safeguarding critical infrastructure. Thus, Ukraine requires additional air defense systems and missiles. They also emphasized the importance of getting permission to use long-range weapons provided by Allies to strike military objects in Russia, as the destruction of missile carriers and depots is one of the most effective ways to prevent Russian attacks.

NATO member states, in turn, expressed their commitment to provide Ukraine with the resources needed to withstand the winter, confirming they will do everything possible to support, protect, and restore Ukraine's energy system. They further stressed the need to intensify efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air and missile defenses.