By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) – The G7+ countries on Monday "strongly condemned" Russia's recent strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, reaffirming their commitment to support Ukraine’s immediate, medium, and long-term recovery and reconstruction.
The G7+ Ministerial Group issued a joint statement following a meeting on the margins of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York to reaffirm its "unwavering support" for Kyiv in the face of Russia's attacks on Ukraine and its energy infrastructure.
"We strongly condemn Russia’s continuous missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and cities across Ukraine, which have escalated since March 2024 and severely threaten Ukraine’s energy security," said the statement.
Highlighting the regional implications of such attacks, notably on Moldova’s energy security, the G7+ group said Russia must end its war and "pay for the damage it has caused."
"We recommit to supporting Ukraine’s immediate, medium, and long-term recovery and reconstruction in line with its path towards the EU," added the statement.
The statement stressed the importance of implementing energy sector reforms in line with the EU accession path, mentioning that this is "especially crucial" ahead of the winter, given the scale of repairs and new energy infrastructure needs.
It also condemns Russia's seizure, continued control, and militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, saying the situation threatens energy security.
"We stress that Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant must return to the full sovereign control of Ukraine in line with IAEA principles and under its independent supervision," the statement said.
Calling on international partners to increase their financial contributions, "in particular to the latter fund in order to improve Ukraine’s resilience next winter," the statement reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine.
"We are committed to continue supporting immediate needs and Ukraine’s vision of a more decentralized, diversified, resilient, and renewable/sustainable energy system that is fully integrated with Europe," it added.