Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov participated in a virtual meeting of foreign ministers from the G7+ coordination format at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The meeting was dedicated to support for the energy sector in Ukraine. The foreign ministers discussed ways to accelerate the supply of high-voltage transformers for the next winter season, as well as ways to support the recovery of the energy sector. In his speech, Nikolay Milkov said that Bulgaria had provided over EUR 240 million in assistance to Ukraine. 

“Bulgaria has also provided emergency financial assistance in the form of earmarked contributions to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help address the most pressing energy needs of the Ukrainian population”, Minister Milkov pointed out. Nikolay Milkov also noted that Bulgaria had provided hundreds of generators during the winter months, including from private donations and as a result of initiatives. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has secured EUR 200,000 for the purchase of LED lighting to ease the strain on Ukraine’s electricity grid and reduce electricity costs.