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Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at Memorandum of Understanding Signing in Support of Ukraine Energy Resilience and Before Their Meeting [ https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-and-ukrainian-foreign-minister-andrii-sybiha-at-memorandum-of-understanding-signing-in-support-of-ukraine-energy-resilience-and-before-their-meeting/ ] 12/03/2024 12:42 PM EST
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Brussels, Belgium
NATO Headquarters
*SECRETARY BLINKEN:*  Maybe I could just say at the outset as we sign – we’re signing today a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Ukraine on energy.  We and so many other countries are determined to do everything we can to continue to help Ukraine build energy resilience, and that’s never been more important or more urgent, because Putin continues to weaponize the winter with horrific strikes on the entire energy grid, seeking to have people freeze to death, people without lights, take down industry.
The United States and many other countries have been working very hard in support of Ukraine to make sure that the energy grids can be repaired, replaced, protected, and this memorandum of understanding carries that work forward – making sure, again, that as things are destroyed, they get replaced; that Ukraine has greater generative capacity, both on a small and large level; that more protections are put in place; and as well that it’s further integrated with the European energy grid.  We’ve seen great progress on all of those fronts, and there’s a tremendous determination not only for the United States but for many other countries to make sure that Ukraine’s energy resilience remains strong.
More broadly, I look forward to speaking with my friend the foreign minister on the efforts that we’re all making to strengthen Ukraine to deal with the ongoing Russian aggression.  Here at NATO, I hear a shared determination across the entire Alliance to make sure that we continue to do everything that’s necessary for Ukraine so that it can protect itself, protect its people, and ultimately find a just and durable solution to the Russian aggression.
Andrii.
*FOREIGN MINISTER SYBIHA:*  Dear Tony, dear Secretary, thanks a lot for your strong words.  I do really appreciate this opportunity to meet with you, to exchange views in such challenging times.  It is true that this document is really very important document for us, especially now, when we – when our people, our civilians, suffering from daily Russian missile terror.  And it’s a true contribution into our energy resilience – we are speaking about more than 800 million of dollars.  So once again, thanks a lot, and it’s a vital support and assistance in such a challenging time.
It is true that Russians, they increased – they increased with missile attacks on Ukraine energy objects.  And what is new:  They started to attack objects of nuclear energy.  So that’s a true risk of nuclear incident, and all of us need to join efforts to respond appropriately.  Now is not a time to discuss what ifs; it’s a time to address properly to the challenges with which we are facing now.
We have regular meetings and talks with you, dear Secretary, and from each meeting the – the so-called list to do is getting shorter and shorter.  And I do really appreciate your personal unwavering support of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.  A recent strong decision with regard of strengthening sanction policy and sanctioning banking sector – it’s true strong instruments to force Russia to the just, comprehensive, long-lasting peace.
Thanks a lot.  Thank you.
(The memorandum of understanding was signed.)
*SECRETARY BLINKEN:*  Thank you.
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