The European Union, in collaboration with international partners, has invested 400 million euros in mine clearance efforts in Ukraine, particularly in areas contaminated by explosive devices. This was announced by Peter Wagner, head of the EU's external policy tools, during a briefing in Mykolaiv.
"We are committing significant resources to ensure safety in Mykolaiv, where many areas require demining," he stated.
Moreover, as the winter season approaches, energy support becomes crucial. "We have installed 15 water purification stations in Mykolaiv communities, and we are also assisting with solar panels to ensure their operation during power outages," Wagner added.
Katarina Mathernova, the EU ambassador to Ukraine, emphasized that since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the EU has allocated over 180 billion euros to support Ukraine's humanitarian and military needs.
"Mykolaiv region leads in the number of projects implemented in Ukraine with the support of the EU," she noted.
In response to journalists' questions, EU representatives remarked that they have been present in Ukraine since 2015, and this was their first visit to Mykolaiv.
"I hope this is not my last visit, as I have heard so much about local tomatoes and would love to taste them," Mathernova added, also praising the local red wine.
Mykolaiv is one of the most mined regions in Ukraine, and with the support of the EU and the UN Development Program, local deminers have received modern equipment for underwater demining.