U.K. to transfer the first £5 million to help repair Ukraine’s damaged energy systems

U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced the first tranche of U.K. funding to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, according to a press release published on Monday on the official site of the British government.

“The Foreign Secretary is due to sign the agreement today with Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, alongside Energy Community Secretariat Deputy Director Dirk Buschle, to transfer the first £5 million of the UK’s £10 million commitment to the Energy Community’s Ukraine Energy Support Fund,” the press release reads.

“Russia’s attacks on vital infrastructure show that Putin is resorting to desperate measures. But even in the face of missile attacks and blackouts, the resolve of the Ukrainian people remains unbroken.” Cleverly said.

He also pointed out that “the U.K. has made the largest donation to date to this Fund. We need all partners to step up their support and show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine will be met with fierce resistance.”

Halushchenko thanked the “British partners and the Energy Community Secretariat for the help in the fight against Russia on the energy front.”

“Russia is trying to break us by shelling the energy infrastructure to leave Ukrainians on winter’s eve without heat and light. These days the support of international partners is more important than ever,” the minister said.

“This will make it possible to purchase the necessary equipment for our energy companies, which is difficult to do as a part of humanitarian aid,” he added.