The US promises a large aid package for the Ukrainian energy sector

US Vice-President Kamala Harris announced an aid package for Ukraine worth $1.5 billion (£1.18 billion), mainly for the country’s energy sector.

financing, announced at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerlandwill help repair infrastructure damaged by Russian bombing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that half of the country’s production capacity was destroyed during the war.

He called on Western countries to provide more air defense assets to protect both energy infrastructure and urban population centers, and some responded.

Russian attacks on the power grid forced energy companies to introduce rolling blackouts.

The package from USAID and the State Department includes $500 million in new energy aid money and $324 million redirected to emergency energy needs, – said a statement from the White House.

“These efforts will help Ukraine respond to Russia’s recent attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure by supporting repairs and reconstruction, improving Ukraine’s resilience to energy supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork for repairing and expanding Ukraine’s energy system,” he added.

Another $369 million was allocated for humanitarian assistance to displaced people and conflict-affected communities. It is also planned to send another $300 million to provide life-saving equipment to border guards and law enforcement agencies.

Since the beginning of the war, the United States has spent more than $3.2 million on humanitarian aid for Ukraine and almost $1.5 billion on the energy sector, he added in a statement.

Ms. Harris is attending a summit in the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock aimed at discussing ground rules for ending the conflict in Ukraine in President Joe Biden’s absence.

But with Russia not invited and key players such as China staying away, expectations for significant progress at the summit are low.