Austria pledges €14 million for humanitarian demining in Ukraine

Austria will provide more than €14 million to support humanitarian demining efforts in Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced following talks with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

Speaking at a joint briefing, Sybiha said the funding would help clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in areas affected by Russia’s invasion, a critical step toward restoring civilian infrastructure and enabling displaced residents to return home, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

In addition to the demining assistance, Austria has contributed €3.5 million through international support mechanisms, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the United Nations, according to the Ukrainian minister.

The two sides are also discussing the transfer of energy equipment from decommissioned power plants in Vienna. Austria has expressed readiness to supply nine transformers as well as gas-related equipment to help stabilise Ukraine’s energy system, which has been heavily damaged during the war.

By Sabina Mammadli