KYIV, March 4 – The potential cessation of USAID's support for Ukraine's energy sector recovery presents a challenge, particularly for critical infrastructure facilities. However, the issue can be addressed by finding alternative funding sources, according to Olha Babiy, former member of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) and an energy sector expert.

"This will be painful, but it is an objective reality. There is no need to panic or escalate the situation. Instead, we must seek alternative sources for acquiring energy equipment, including purchasing the equipment already ordered under the USAID Energy Security Project. It may be possible to do this by expanding the European fund," Babiy told Energy Reform in an interview.