Ukraine Needs €800 Million to Make It Through Winter, Zelensky Tells Paris Donor Conference

Ukrainian President Zolodymyr Zelensky told an international donor conference in Paris on Tuesday, December 13, that Ukraine will need €800 million in emergency aid for energy this winter.

The conference, which gathered representative from 47 countries, aimed to raise money to see Ukraine through the winter, after Russian forces targeted the country’s critical infrastructure.

Zelensky, attending the conference via video link, told attendees, “Of course it is a very high amount, but the cost is less than the cost of a potential blackout,” according to France 24.

“Generators have become as necessary as armoured vehicles and bullet-proof jackets," he said.

Olena Zelenska, first lady of Ukraine, was in attendance at the conference, having met with Brigitte Macron the previous day. Credit: Volodymyr Zelensky via Storyful