Zelensky urges American leaders at Madrid summit to supply Ukraine power‑grid equipment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Ibero‑American Summit in Madrid on July 9, 2024, asking Latin American heads of state to help replace damaged power‑grid components. He highlighted the loss of over 1,000 megawatts of electricity after recent Russian missile strikes. Restoring the grid is critical for hospitals, schools and winter heating across Ukraine. The appeal marks a widening diplomatic outreach beyond Europe.
What Zelensky Said at the Madrid Ibero‑American Summit
During a joint press conference on July 9, 2024, President Zelensky stood beside the Spanish prime minister and the Ibero‑American summit chair. He pointed to a photo of a shattered substation outside Kharkiv, noting that Russian attacks had knocked out more than 30% of Ukraine’s transmission capacity. Zelensky said the country needs high‑voltage transformers, circuit breakers and skilled technicians to rebuild the network before the winter months. He appealed directly to leaders from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia, asking them to mobilise existing stockpiles and to fast‑track export licences for critical equipment. Account to Reuters confirmed that Zelensky also mentioned a recent Ukrainian‑German memorandum that could facilitate joint procurement, but that additional sources were still required. The president stressed that without external help, prolonged blackouts could cripple civilian life and impede the country’s reconstruction efforts.
Why the Request Matters for Ukraine and the Region
Ukraine’s power grid has been a strategic target throughout the war, with more than
Despite their massive size, most high‑voltage transformers are designed to be disassembled and re‑certified for reuse, allowing a single unit to serve in three different countries over its lifetime.
