Preparations for the upcoming winter are currently being carried out exclusively with domestic resources, as European funding is blocked. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an address delivered today from the Zakarpattia region, "Ukrinform" reports.
"We have already started preparations for the next winter. We must not waste time. Although it is difficult to meet all the needs due to the blocking of European funds for Ukraine - funds that were supposed to go to reconstruction, new protective measures for the winter, and the development of alternative network infrastructure and production. "We are currently relying on internal resources, but we are working with partners to unblock this key support package," Zelensky said.
He also called on local communities to be active - to engage with partner communities and explain that blocking support for Ukraine effectively serves Russia's interests. The president added that today in the Transcarpathian region he participated in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and thanked every community that was active and effective this winter.
"We survived this winter thanks to all our people who work for our country, for their communities, thanks to professionals in energy companies and municipal services. I want to thank all of you. Business also performed well - deliveries, logistics. "It is truly our common national success that Russia's winter plans have been thwarted," he noted.
We recall that Hungary blocked a 90 billion euro loan from the European Union (EU), as well as the adoption of the 20th package of EU sanctions and the opening of negotiation clusters.
In exchange for unfreezing the financial assistance, Hungary is demanding the resumption of the operation of the "Druzhba" pipeline.