Kyiv, Ukraine and Brussels, Belgium
In a decisive moment for Ukraine and the global fight for freedom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will present his “victory plan” to lawmakers today, outlining the path forward in Ukraine’s war against Russian aggression. This plan, shared earlier with Washington and European capitals, aims to rally international support to bring an end to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Yet, according to some Ukrainian experts, more key elements are needed to protect against Russian aggression now and in the future.
While President Zelenskiy has yet to release the plan’s full details to the public, Razom We Stand insists that any effective peace strategy must address the critical enabler of Russia’s war machine: its fossil fuel profits. Russia’s global energy exports continue to bankroll its military budget, enabling the destruction of Ukrainian cities and the suffering of its people. Since the beginning of the war, Russia earned a staggering EUR 757 billion in revenue from fossil fuel exports.
“President Zelenskiy’s victory plan marks a critical step in securing Ukraine’s future, but true peace requires the world to stop bankrolling Russia’s war by purchasing its fossil fuels,” said Svitlana Romanko, Director of Razom We Stand. “Any comprehensive plan must immediately halt buying Russian energy and enforce strict sanctions on the shadow fleets and LNG gas tankers that enable these dangerous transactions. Razom We Stand urges global leaders to back Ukraine’s victory by cutting off the financial lifeline that fuels Putin’s terror and helping to rebuild the country with renewable energy at the forefront.”
As the war in Ukraine continues with no clear end in sight, Russia remains heavily reliant on fossil fuel revenues to finance its military activities. Despite sanctions, loopholes allow Russian oil and gas to continue flowing, propping up the regime.
Any long-lasting peace would require global leaders to target additional LNG carriers and energy infrastructure tied to Russia’s energy empire that funds the bombs dropped on Ukraine daily. Addressing the escalating risk from Russia’s expanding shadow fleet, which exports LNG and oil, is critical. These actions are vital to cutting off the financial lifelines fueling Russia’s war machine.
As Ukraine looks to rebuild, cheaper renewable energy offers both a path to recovery and a strategic advantage in diminishing Russia’s fossil fuel dominance. Solar, wind, and other decentralised energy sources are not only crucial for Ukraine’s recovery and economic security but also harder to target, making them more resilient to future threats. Ukraine’s shift to renewables is pivotal for its security, global energy stability, and the fight against climate change.
Razom We Stand calls on the international community to step up its efforts, enforce tougher sanctions, and end the dangerous global addiction to Russian fossil fuels. Supporting Ukraine’s transition to renewable energy is vital to ensuring its victory—and securing a cleaner, safer and more resilient future for all.
ENDS
Razom We Stand is a Ukrainian high-impact climate advocacy group. It calls for a total and permanent embargo on Russian fossil fuels and an immediate end to all investment in Russian oil and gas companies by phasing out fossil fuels globally.
Svitlana Romanko was previously quoted on the White House’s official website in response to the Biden administration’s decision to limit global LNG industry expansion and has appeared in top-tier international press, including Washington Post, CNN, NBC, AP, Politico, Bloomberg, The Hill, Financial Times, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, and Le Monde; a detailed list is here.
