Last week, Razom We Stand, and mayors from major Ukrainian cities embarked on a critical advocacy trip to the USA. Their mission: to secure substantial investments for Ukraine’s recovery, with a strong focus on renewable energy. This delegation met with U.S. government officials, financial leaders, and corporate stakeholders, aiming to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn infrastructure and position the country as a leader in clean energy.
A Vision for Ukraine’s Recovery
The week began in Washington DC, aiming to foster partnerships to rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Razom We Stand, along with Mayors from cities like Kyiv, Krasnokutsk, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Trostianets, Trostianets and Vasylkiv, highlighted Ukraine’s potential in the global energy sector. Amid growing interest in renewable energy worldwide, the Ukrainian team emphasized how solar, wind and battery storage projects could not only help the country recover from war but also strengthen global energy security. Energy experts have noted that renewable installations, due to their decentralized nature, are more resilient in conflict zones compared to traditional power plants.
Highlighting Investment Opportunities
On September 24, Razom We Stand and its partners USAID, Hooverla, ISE Group, Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine, and Association of Ukrainian Cities introduced the Investment Catalogue of Ukrainian Cities, spotlighting energy efficiency projects across urban infrastructure. The ongoing war has severely impacted Ukraine’s heating and water systems, with only 18 cities maintaining operational hot water supplies and an 80% deterioration in key infrastructures. This catalog helps solve the problem for government agencies who’ve been searching for ways to help people in Ukraine, with clear investment opportunities, marking a step toward a renewable, resilient future for Ukraine.
Razom We Stand’s Strategy Director Alexander Romanishyn met with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to highlight Ukraine’s commitment to EU climate targets and the countries efforts to transition to renewable energy. Mr Romanishyn noted that the Ukraine Facility, which aims to organise funding for rebuilding Ukraine, dedicates 20% of its second pillar to renewable projects. Romanishyn inquired about the DFC aligning their programs with these priorities, focusing on at least 30% of aid for Ukraine being in decentralized renewable energy investments in Ukraine, given the EU’s move away from Russian energy imports. DFC representatives expressed strong interest and priority in supporting renewable energy projects and decentralized energy systems in Ukraine, seeing it as crucial for energy security and addressing climate change.
Meeting U.S. Officials and Learning from D.C.
On September 25, Razom We Stand and Ukrainian mayors met with U.S. officials, including Washington, D.C. City Administrator Kevin Donahue to discuss energy transition strategies. They explored D.C.’s ambitious renewable energy goals, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2032 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. D.C.’s renewable energy programs, such as the Clean Energy Omnibus Act and investments in community solar projects, can serve as a blueprint for Ukraine’s clean energy transition.
Energy and Investment at the Forefront
Throughout the visit, Razom We Stand and the delegation of Ukrainian mayors consistently pushed for renewable energy investments to power Ukraine’s recovery. At the CSIS Doing Business in Ukraine conference on September 25, our Alexander Romanishyn spoke on the Strengthening Ukraine’s Electricity System panel, sharing a vital message: “Europe has imported billions in Russian fossil fuels since 2022, and all investments in Russia must end. It is also crucial now for the world to mobilize capital in renewable energy in Ukraine as it means energy security for the country and for the entire Europe.” Vinnytsia Mayor Serhii Morhunov also stressed the importance of American investments in Ukraine’s clean energy projects: “We are building clean energy projects that boost our economic development, and securing renewable energy investment from America is key for us.”
On September 26, at a Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) event, Senator Ed Markey spoke about the need to cut dirty fossil fuels, including LNG gas exports, and to focus on renewable energy for climate and energy security. Our Head of Communications Jason Kirkpatrick met Sen.Ed Markey, and planted seeds of future collaboration.
Razom We Stand also had a productive meeting with Carl B. Kress, Regional Director & Worldwide Energy Sector Team Leader at the US Trade & Development Agency (USTDA), who reaffirmed its commitment to long-term infrastructure projects in Ukraine with grants for feasibility studies and project planning. These grants are designed to advance projects toward bankability and successful implementation.
Another key moment of the trip was a presentation by Philipp Hildebrand, Vice President of BlackRock of Ukraine Wealth Fund, a €2 billion public-private capital initiative. This fund aims to support sectors such as infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. Early investors in this initiative will play a crucial role in shaping Ukraine’s economic future and ensuring sustainable growth.
The delegation also had a productive meeting with Exlm Bank, where representatives expressed strong interest in supporting renewable energy and power generation projects in Ukraine. They shared examples of successful renewable projects that could be models for Ukrainian projects, including a $12 million solar initiative in Angola, involving multiple solar facilities across the country.
Strategic Takeaways
The visit to the USA concluded with two sessions hosted by Razom We Stand with representatives from government, the private sector, clean energy advisors, think tanks, academia, and like-minded NGOs. We organized with partners E3G for the events in New York and Washington, D.C., with a focus on strategies for divesting from Russian fossil fuels and finding ways to further limit financial flows that fund the Russian war machine, as well as potentially resourcing efforts to build clean energy capacity in Ukraine. As Ukraine rebuilds, Razom We Stand continues to rally international support for a renewable, more secure future.
