When energy stops, the elementary functions of the state erode.

Because energy is not merely an economic commodity or any form of technology. It is the very bloodstream of our societies and economies.

Without a reliable energy supply, public order, healthcare, communications, transportation, finance – and even trust in democracy itself – come under pressure.

Resilience in the energy supply thus leads to resilience in society as a whole.

President Putin sees energy infrastructure as a target and a means of exerting psychological pressure. He aims to break civilian morale.

And yet, Ukraine is resisting! Every day.

For more than four years now, entire cities have adapted to scheduled rolling blackouts; hospitals have installed backup systems powered by solar panels and batteries; railway networks have adapted their operations to the unstable power supply; and technicians have worked under constant danger to repair damaged substations, often only hours after attacks.

The humming of generators has become the ever-present background sound of Ukrainian cities.

And energy workers have become defenders of the home front – to keep the power supply flowing far too many have paid with their lives.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Resilience is not limited to the institutional level. In Ukraine, ordinary citizens also help to foster it – every household and local business does its bit. Because national resilience is the result of a joint effort by society as a whole.

And so, when we talk about state and civil resilience, one point is particularly important: Ukraine continuously adapts. Because every new Russian attack requires new responses.

When large centralised infrastructure becomes vulnerable, Ukraine accelerates decentralisation. When substations are targeted, protection measures are improved. When supply chains become strained, improvisation and local innovation fill the gaps.

Because Ukraine has learned in real time that resilience is not static. That resilience means adapting. In addition, international solidarity with Ukraine has played a crucial role.

The G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group and the Ukraine Energy Support Fund have become a lifeline for Ukraine’s energy sector. They have helped to finance emergency equipment, transformers, gas turbines, cables, materials for repairs and decentralised generation systems. They have enabled urgent repairs after attacks and helped to stabilise the electricity and heating supply across the country.

International assistance and cooperation from electricity exports, equipment donations via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and programmes run by international financial institutions have been crucial for Ukrainian resilience.

I am delighted to say that Germany has contributed over 1.2 billion euro in energy-sector support and provided nearly a third of the contributions to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. To support the population during the winter, we have also provided additional humanitarian aid in the form of winterisation.

We have built up a German-Ukrainian energy partnership that supports Ukraine in its energy transition and reform agenda as well as its fight against Russia’s energy war. And Germany is the largest bilateral supporter of the Ukrainian Transmission System Operator, Ukrenergo.

All this shows: We stand with Ukraine. And we will not waver in our support!

Ladies and gentlemen,

The threats to the energy supply and energy security are not confined to Ukraine alone. Across Europe, we are – already today – witnessing an increase in hybrid attacks against critical infrastructure: we are seeing cyberattacks against utilities; we are seeing unidentified drones over energy facilities; and we are seeing damage to undersea cables, pipelines and communication networks.

Critical infrastructure is a frontline of geopolitical confrontation today. Neither Germany nor our Allies and partners in Europe are immune. Our prosperity, industrial base and democratic stability all depend on secure and resilient energy systems.

This means that we need a new understanding of energy security as a comprehensive security question. That is why today’s event matters so much. That is why we should listen very carefully. I am very grateful that we can count Ukraine among our partners.

Today is about listening to Ukraine’s political and economic decision-makers, communities, civil society and experts. To learn from their experience. Their flexibility. Their perseverance. And their innovativeness.

Because Ukraine has accumulated hard-earned expertise that the European Union urgently needs to bolster its own resilience and energy security. We must all ask ourselves: What exactly creates resilience in an age of permanent disruption?

Certainly, physical protection of infrastructure is one element. Energy facilities require better security against sabotage, drones and terrorism. Rapid repair capabilities and stocks are equally essential. Ukraine has shown that the speed of restoration can be just as important as prevention itself.

But resilience also requires decentralisation.

Highly centralised systems may be efficient in peacetime, but they can become extra vulnerable in crisis situations. Distributed generation, mobile capacity, microgrids, energy storage and redundancy all increase survivability. Decentralised renewable energy production combined with storage solutions are especially good assets for resilience and independence.

Resilience also means having strategic reserves. It means having diversified suppliers. It means having interoperable European systems. It means ensuring cybersecurity. And it means establishing public preparedness. Because societal resilience cannot simply be switched on during a crisis. We have to establish it beforehand.

I’m therefore grateful that business leaders, experts, infrastructure operators and innovators have come to Berlin today. Because we all have to take a close look at the lessons we can learn from Ukraine.

Together, we can become more resilient in the fields of defence and economy, but also with regard to energy. This is why we – Germany and Ukraine – agreed to upgrade our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during our recent intergovernmental consultations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Resilience is not optional. And resilience is never purely national.

The integration of the Ukrainian energy market into the European energy market is strategic. The synchronisation of Ukraine’s electricity grid with the Continental European network during wartime has proved to be a particular success.

And it shows very clearly that European integration is not an abstract political concept. It creates concrete mutual benefits: Ukraine benefits from stability, connectivity, investment and access to the European market. Europe benefits from Ukraine’s expertise, flexibility, innovations and strategic importance in the energy sector.

This is why the energy sector is a powerful example of the broader partnership between Ukraine and the European Union.

Thank you so much.