Russia’s endeavor to militarize energy has been unsuccessful.

The United States intends to actively help restore Ukraine’s energy system
Geoffrey Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Affairs and U.S. Government Coordinator for Assistance to Ukraine in Rebuilding its Energy Sector, in an interview with media Ukrainian Service correspondent Oksana Bedratenko, explained why Putin failed to break Ukraine with an energy blockade, and how the United States intends to help restore Ukraine’s energy system.
On the energy blockade of Russia
“The most important thing now is the incredible resilience of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian energy workers, who have done a lot to make Putin’s efforts not successful. I was in Kiev in December, the day of the biggest wave of airstrikes of that time, and saw how Ukrenergo workers quickly restored power. I am very proud to be part of the US government team working to provide emergency assistance to Ukraine to restore its electrical grid.
From dependence on Russian energy resources
“After February 2022, no one in the world will consider Russia as a reliable energy supplier anymore. Look at the conclusion of the International Energy Agency, which estimates that by 2030, Russia’s oil and gas revenues will fall by 50%. From January to December, they have already decreased by 38%. This is a gigantic deficit that Russia is now reporting publicly, and the actual numbers are likely even larger. Russia has inflicted enormous damage on itself by this war and, in particular, on the oil and gas resources which have been the driving force of its economy. This is very sad for Russia, but it is a consequence of Putin’s actions and his desire to use oil and gas resources as a weapon.
“Therefore, we are working very hard to ensure that Russia can never again use its oil and gas against the rest of the world.”
On the importance of Ukrainian energy
“Ukraine had one of the largest networks of nuclear power plants in Europe before the start of the airstrikes and continued to export electricity to Europe even with the outbreak of hostilities. This country has fantastic resources for the development of wind and solar energy. In the territories of the Azov coast, currently occupied, Ukraine wishes to develop the transition to hydrogen, the use of biomass, as well as the exploitation of important oil and gas resources. Many of these resources can be used more efficiently with modern mining, carbon capture, and gas and methane trading, and US and European partners plan to invest in this area. And I think that in the long term, Ukraine should become the main source of changes in the European energy system. Ukraine also has significant gas storage capacities. Therefore, it is clear that after the end of this war, Europe will never again become dependent on the Russian gas pipeline.
“Of course there is a lot of damage and it will take a lot of work to restore the electrical system. But at the end of this war, when Ukraine wins, I have every reason to expect that it will regain its position as a major energy exporter.
On US assistance to Ukraine in the restoration of energy infrastructure
“The United States and all of our G7 partners are committed to helping Ukraine rebuild its energy system. Last year the United States provided $53 million for additional equipment, and we are now in the process of approving another $125 million. Additionally, we have just submitted to Congress a request for an additional $250 million in new equipment from the U.S. government for a project to decentralize Ukraine’s energy system, minimize its dependence on oil and gas, and introduce sources of renewable energy.
“I see strong bipartisan support for U.S. aid to Ukraine, so I expect that 250 million to be approved by Congress, as has happened in the past. And once that happens will produce, we will work with our colleagues at the Agency for International Development, the Ministry of Energy and our partners in Kiev to identify supplies as soon as possible that will help repair the damage caused by the war and help the Ukraine in its quest to integrate into the European energy system.
On the interest of American companies in participating in the restoration of Ukraine
“I have spoken to several US energy companies that intend to operate in Ukraine. Obviously, they follow the course of hostilities. But they also see the opportunities and the potential of the resources available to Ukraine. They also see the financial commitment of the American people and the American government to participate in the process of rebuilding and rebuilding Ukraine after the end of the war, and they want to be part of that story.