U.S. expects Ukraine to connect to European electricity grid soon – Blinken

The United States supports Ukraine’s efforts to connect with the European electricity grid, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Washington on Monday, own Ukrinform correspondent reported.

“We’re also supporting Ukraine’s efforts to connect with the European electricity grid, an initiative to which we have contributed more than $138 million in recent years.  Ukraine’s grid is now ready and we’re hopeful it may soon be able to connect to Europe’s grid,” he said.

Blinken noted that Washington supports other initiatives to ensure the security of Europe’s natural gas supply.

“These efforts are aimed at shoring up energy supply throughout Europe, including Ukraine, whose energy security is particularly threatened by Russian aggression,” he said.

Blinken added that the United States is grateful to the European Union and its readiness to support projects that will allow gas to enter Ukraine from Europe.

“And we’re prepared to help those efforts through both our diplomacy as well as technical expertise,” he said.

As reported, a US-EU meeting at the level of heads of relevant government departments was held in Washington on Monday. The agenda included issues of strengthening Europe's energy security amid Russia’s aggressive actions, as well as the transition to "green" energy.

iy