Ukraine’s energy crisis in spotlight as Zelenskyy meets Austrian counterpart

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stöger, focusing on the country’s ongoing energy challenges.

Zelenskyy noted in his Telegram channel that Russia continues daily attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, aiming to leave citizens without power and heating, Caliber.Az reports. 

He stressed the importance of partner support and thanked Austria for the funds allocated last week to assist Ukraine’s energy sector. The leaders also discussed further avenues of assistance for the country’s energy systems.

The Ukrainian president also updated on recent tripartite meetings in the UAE between Ukrainian, American, and Russian delegations, which addressed military issues and security guarantees.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine’s EU membership is a key security measure not only for the country but for Europe as a whole, and outlined plans for 2027, seeking continued support from international partners.

Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Chancellor Stöger to visit Ukraine to continue discussions in a face-to-face format.

In a renewed wave of Russian drone and missile attacks, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was severely damaged in late January 2026, leaving major cities facing power outages amid winter cold. Kharkiv, the country’s second‑largest city near the Russian border, saw electricity cut to about 80 % of the city and the surrounding region, with emergency services and repair crews working under difficult conditions.

Authorities reported that Kyiv and surrounding regions were struck in a massive aerial assault, affecting more than 1.2 million properties without electricity, and leaving thousands of buildings without heating as temperatures plummeted. Emergency crews remain on the ground working to restore power.

The attacks have compounded earlier strikes this winter, which also disrupted supplies in cities including Odesa and Kyiv, and prompted officials to warn of one of the harshest winters in recent years for Ukraine.

Energy operators across Ukraine have had to introduce hourly and emergency blackout schedules, meaning residents in many regions face planned power cuts to manage limited capacity and ongoing damage repair.

By Aghakazim Guliyev