A Luxembourg delegation visits Ukraine

On 30 April 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier BETTEL, and Minister of Defence, Yuriko BACKES, went on a mission to Kyiv, accompanied by a Luxembourg delegation from various ministries and LuxDev, to reaffirm their support for Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the Luxembourg government has provided substantial financial support, with over EUR 100 million dedicated to humanitarian aid and development cooperation.

Following an initial contribution of EUR 2 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund (UESF), Minister Bettel announced an additional EUR 10 million in aid during his visit. The energy sector is a key focus of Luxembourg’s engagement, as the conflict has severely disrupted Ukraine’s ability to supply electricity to households, hospitals, schools, and businesses.

The UESF finances the most urgent needs of Ukrainian energy companies, including equipment, spare parts, fuel, technical services, and infrastructure repairs, in order to maintain the country’s energy and heating supply.

In addition, LuxDev, in partnership with PROMAN, a consultancy specialised in international development, and the Business Development Fund, a Ukrainian financial institution, is implementing the project Support for recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion. Kryvyi Rih, a key centre of Ukraine’s mining and metallurgical industry, has been severely affected due to its proximity to the front line (approximately 40 kilometres as of May 2025) and the influx of displaced persons.

With a budget of EUR 56 million, the project also supports the energy sector as part of a broader approach aimed at addressing the most urgent needs of the local population, which numbers around 700,000 people. LuxDev is installing autonomous energy units and, in collaboration with local authorities, developing longer-term projects to strengthen energy resilience. The project also provides IT equipment for students, modernises bomb shelters in schools, strengthens demining capacities, and facilitates access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Special attention is given to displaced persons, veterans, and children with specific educational needs, in order to promote social inclusion and equal opportunities.