German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sees Ukraine’s crisis management in the face of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure as a model.
“For over four years, Russia has been trying unsuccessfully to force Ukraine into a blackout. The opposite has happened since then,” said Wadephul ahead of an international conference on energy security in Berlin.
Under pressure, Ukraine has demonstrated an impressive capacity for adaptation and innovation, said Wadephul. Germany can learn from Ukraine’s expertise and resilience to strengthen its own critical energy infrastructure, he added.
According to the statement from the German Foreign Office and the Economy Ministry, Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said Russia's brutal actions against Ukraine demonstrate how attacks on energy supplies can be directed against the civilian population.
Ukraine proves its determination to strengthen the resilience of its infrastructure on a daily basis, she added.
The conference in the German capital brings together representatives from the Group of 7 (G7), the European Union, NATO, business associations, academia and civil society to draw lessons for energy infrastructure from Ukraine’s experiences. Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal is also in attendance.
