Shmyhal, Sefcovic discuss Ukraine's integration into EU energy market

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Vice President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic, have discussed the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and Ukraine's integration into the EU energy market.

He said this on the messaging app Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"We discussed the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and the integration of Ukraine into the EU energy market with the Vice President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Brussels. I thanked him for the EU's consistent policy of increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor and the adoption of the seventh package of sanctions. Our further priorities include the introduction of a complete energy embargo on Russia. Such measures have already been worked out by the Yermak-McFaul expert group and proposed in a road map," Shmyhal said.

According to him, electricity exports from Ukraine can replace significant gas imports from Russia. Shmyhal also raised the issue of increasing the possibilities of electricity exports from Ukraine to the EU. "Currently, the trade capacity is 300 MW, while our export potential is up to 2,000 MW. We expect to increase electricity exports and will be grateful for the support of the European Commission," he said.

He added that Ukraine has the largest gas storage facilities and can become Europe's "gas safe." Given the received candidate status, the Ukrainian government is determined to accelerate the country's integration into the EU energy market, Shmyhal said.

Shmyhal is on a working visit to Brussels. On Monday, September 5, Shmyhal has already met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and heads of political groups.

Photo credit: Denys Shmyhal, Facebook