Explaining complex things in simple words: Voting for financial support of Ukraine in EU, energy independence, destruction of enemy ship

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.   

VOTING FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF UKRAINE IN THE EU

Within the framework of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council on February 1, the EU approved a package of macro-financial support to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 50 bln.

  • The 27 EU countries demonstrated unity in the issue of further support for Ukraine.
  • Ukraine has received a four-year financial support instrument that cannot be terminated with a veto. This guarantees stable, long-term, and predictable financing for Ukraine.
  • The vote for the aid package is not only financial support, but also an important signal of trust in Ukraine as a partner and future EU member.
  • The Kremlin's plans to isolate Ukraine and deprive it of the partners' support have failed.
  • Ukrainians are also counting on an effective vote in the U.S. Senate for the allocation of USD 61 bln in aid, which should take place soon.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

For the first time in history, Ukraine is going through the heating season on gas of its own production and with a balanced electricity system.

  • Despite the wartime, Naftogaz of Ukraine and Ukrgazvydobuvannya increased production by 11% and opened new gas production wells.
  • Ukraine became part of the European electricity system ENTSO-E, which allowed increasing the capacity of electricity imports to 1.7 GW.
  • Russia is losing its energy weapons, which it has been using to blackmail its neighbours with for decades.
  • Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities this winter have proved ineffective. Contrary to the Kremlin's plans, it is Russian cities that are freezing, not Ukrainian ones.

DESTRUCTION OF AN ENEMY SHIP

On the night of January 31 to February 1, the Group 13 special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine destroyed the Ivanovets missile boat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet using sea drones.

  • Another significant achievement of Ukraine at sea: unmanned boats were able to sink the enemy's manoeuvring warship for the first time.
  • The Ivanovets missile boat is a carrier of cruise missiles, which are a serious threat to military and civilian ships in the Black Sea.
  • The Ivanovets boat participated in the Russian aggression against Ukraine:

in 2014, it blocked Ukrainian ships in the bays during the invasion of Crimea;

in 2022, it participated in the sea blockade of the Black Sea ports;

in 2023, during the exercises of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, it shot the captured corvette Ternopil of the Ukrainian Navy.

  • The Ukrainian Defence Forces will keep on destroying the enemy fleet.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security