Russia Selenskyj recommends energy independence from Moscow for Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Europe to become even more energy-independent from Russia as the Baltic states are disconnected from the Russian power grid. "Moscow will no longer be able to use energy as a weapon against the Baltic states," he said in his evening video address on the move by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Europe had now grown closer together.
10.02.2025, 07:31
SDA
"This is the path that we all have to take in Europe - all of us on the continent," Selensky continued. This applies above all to the countries of Central Europe that still have treaties with Russia. "We need to work more with America - LNG gas, oil, we need to work more with our partners in the neighboring countries of the European Union, in this region, to import the necessary energy."
Following their decoupling from Russia's energy system, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania integrated their electricity grids into the European system. The three Baltic EU and NATO countries were connected to Poland and the continental European grid via the LitPol Link power line on Sunday afternoon. The three countries had already stopped importing electricity from Russia against the backdrop of the Russian attack on Ukraine, but were still part of a joint grid with Russia and Belarus dating back to Soviet times.
Middle East and North Africa as an alternative?
Selensky recommended the countries in the Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa as an alternative to Russia as an energy supplier. "The less Europeans are dependent on Russia, the more we can guarantee reliable security for everyone in Europe." At the beginning of the year, Ukraine switched off the transit of natural gas from Russia to Europe.
Together with the EU, pressure must also be exerted on Russia's attempts to use its tankers and fleet "against us, against the whole of Europe". Ukraine has also extended the pressure of sanctions to the captains of the ships in the Russian shadow fleet. "This should be supported at European level - the European Union should join these sanctions in the energy sector," demanded Selenskyj.
Injured in Russian attacks
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian attacks. Late on Sunday evening, a Shahed drone injured a woman in Sumy in the north-east of the country, according to the TV station Suspilne. She was taken to hospital. The attack also damaged multi-storey residential buildings and cars.
At least six people were injured by shelling in the north of the Donetsk region, as the military governor of the region appointed by Kiev, Vadym Filashkin, announced on Telegram. Four people were wounded in air strikes in the town of Kostyantynivka and two in Kramatorsk. In Kiev, there was a fire in a building due to falling drone parts, as Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Telegram.
Ukraine introduces "drone line"
The Ukrainian armed forces are launching a new project known as the "drone line" to reinforce combat units on the front lines. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov explained on Facebook that this would introduce a new standard of warfare, with unmanned systems becoming a key element of combat operations. They will help the military to perform the most difficult tasks.
"Infantry and drones will be combined into a single attack system," wrote Umerov. The task will be to create a "kill zone" 10 to 15 kilometers deep, in which Russian troops will not be able to move without suffering losses. "This will dramatically change the tactics of combat and give our soldiers a decisive advantage," he said about the planned drone shield.
In addition to unmanned aircraft of various types, which have been in use for some time, Ukraine has now also developed unmanned ground systems.
Possible end to the war as early as 2025
According to President Zelensky, an end to the war in Ukraine this year would be entirely possible "under certain conditions". These include security guarantees for Ukraine and stronger sanctions against Russia, Selensky explained in an interview with the British broadcaster ITV News, excerpts of which were published by Ukrainian media. "We have actually wished every year that our Western partners would find the strength to force (Kremlin boss Vladimir) Putin to end the war."
Selenskyj is counting above all on the help of US President Donald Trump. "In my opinion, Trump wants a quick end to the war," said Selensky. Although Trump is powerful, the USA must act decisively in alliance with the Europeans. Selensky assumed that one day we would see the Ukrainian flag flying over Crimea and Donbass again. However, the regions currently occupied by Russia should return to Ukrainian control "by diplomatic means".
