German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Ukraine is “on the verge of a humanitarian energy crisis” while Russian leadership continues to strike civilian infrastructure. He wrote this in a letter to the leading parliamentary factions of the CDU/CSU and SPD, cited by ZDF Heute.
Merz noted that Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, is not seeking peace even in the fourth winter of the war. Instead, according to him, Putin is ordering intensified attacks on energy and other critical infrastructure that sustain Ukrainian civilians, which can be seen as war crimes.
The chancellor emphasized that the German government aims to end the war, but for this to happen, Ukraine must receive “real security guarantees” from the U.S. and Europe.
Energy Situation in Ukraine
Due to shelling and damage to energy infrastructure, Ukrainians across the country often face power, water, and heating outages. Restoring the networks requires significant time, and specialists are unable to repair all the damage quickly.
For example, in the Zaporizhzhia region, recent shelling left several settlements without water, gas, and electricity simultaneously. In Kyiv and the surrounding region, reduced energy supply is also expected due to damage to energy facilities.
Conclusion
The statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscore the critical nature of Ukraine’s energy situation and point to the systematic nature of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Against the backdrop of a looming humanitarian crisis, strengthening international support and providing Ukraine with genuine security guarantees becomes a key factor not only in stabilizing the energy system but also in protecting civilians and preventing further escalation of the war.
