Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha, has appealed to the Group of Seven (G7) nations to step up their support as Russia’s relentless air assaults continue to cripple the country’s energy infrastructure ahead of what he described as a long and punishing winter.
Speaking during a high-level meeting in Canada focused on defense and security cooperation, Sybiha stressed that Ukraine is entering one of the most difficult phases of the war since Russia began targeting its power grid with renewed intensity. “We are facing a very difficult, very tough winter,” he said. “To survive it, we need the unwavering support of our partners.”
The meeting, attended U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other foreign ministers from the G7 nations, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, centered on strengthening Ukraine’s ability to withstand the latest wave of Russian attacks.
In recent weeks, Russian forces have launched dozens of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, hitting power stations, substations, and other vital infrastructure. These assaults have left millions of Ukrainians facing power outages, heating shortages, and intermittent access to water as temperatures begin to fall.
“We have to move forward, to put pressure on Russia, to make it pay a higher price for this aggression,” Sybiha told his counterparts. “Only strong, unified action can push Moscow toward ending this war.”
Canada responded to the appeal unveiling new sanctions on Russian entities and individuals involved in the production of military equipment and the management of occupied territories in Ukraine. The sanctions, announced Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, are intended to disrupt Russia’s supply chains and limit its capacity to sustain the war effort.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom announced a €14 million funding package to help Ukraine repair and protect its energy infrastructure. The funds will go toward reinforcing critical facilities, improving air defense around key power stations, and ensuring emergency energy supplies for hospitals and essential services.
“The Kremlin’s strategy of plunging Ukrainian cities into darkness will not succeed,” said UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron. “Our support remains firm. Ukraine must have light, heat, and power, the essentials of life and dignity, even in the face of Russia’s terror.”
Western officials have warned that Moscow is once again weaponizing winter, repeating a tactic from previous years where widespread strikes on power grids were aimed at breaking public morale. According to Ukrainian energy company Ukrenergo, over 40 percent of the national grid has been damaged since the start of the renewed offensive in early autumn.
Sybiha praised the resilience of Ukrainian engineers and civilians, who continue to restore damaged facilities under dangerous conditions. “Every time a line is repaired, every transformer replaced, we are showing the world that Ukraine cannot be broken,” he said.
He also urged the G7 to accelerate deliveries of air defense systems and spare parts for damaged infrastructure. Ukraine has requested additional Patriot and NASAMS systems to protect power stations and densely populated cities from continued missile attacks.
The G7 ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” echoing a statement made at last year’s summit in Japan. In a joint communiqué, they condemned Russia’s ongoing “systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure,” calling it a violation of international law and a deliberate attempt to cause humanitarian suffering.
As the meeting concluded, Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine’s struggle is not just for its own survival but for the stability of Europe and the defense of democratic values worldwide. “This war is not only about Ukraine,” he said. “It is about the world we want to live in, one based on justice, freedom, and respect for human life.”
