Russia bombs, Ukraine repairs. Ukraine’s engineers and emergency services have been steadily restoring damaged civilian infrastructure after attacks that target dams, generators, power lines and essential facilities. Hospitals, schools, offices and homes must keep operating so that the country of 42 million people can avoid famine and despair.
Daily demands for spare parts, materials and a wide range of components are increasing. This is a challenge in a nation whose industry has suffered heavy damage. There may be items that are too sensitive to be discussed in public government meetings, yet they are vital to the restoration effort.
Ukraine is working with allied nations to finalize a coordination system that will include a digital platform. Diplomatic sources say the plan will match Ukraine’s needs with the available supplies from cooperating countries. The platform would be a secure portal where Ukrainian authorities set out their requirements for generators, cables, special tubes and more, accessible only to authorized partners. The aim is to streamline requests and accelerate deliveries, no matter how specific the item.
The platform is expected to speed up timelines so repairs aren’t held up by material shortages. Anyone who has ever taken a car in for service knows a single part can stall work for weeks; Ukraine cannot afford delays as winter approaches. The web-based system would allow each country to send coordinators to review and fulfill as many requests as possible. Paris has urged Allies to appoint a coordinator to run a kind of one-stop shop that handles orders and communications among ministries involved in energy, foreign affairs, agriculture and more, according to diplomatic sources.
A civilian Ramstein
In April, the United States led a conference at a German base to coordinate shipments of military aid. More than 30 governments outlined the assistance they would provide to Ukraine, totaling around five billion euros in military capabilities at a single meeting. The flow of weapons and equipment helped stabilize the battlefield and shift momentum in favor of Ukraine, with HIMARS launchers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, drones, fuel and other essentials playing major roles.
France now seeks to complement that effort with non-military aid, creating a civilian Ramstein. Ukraine has already benefited from bilateral deals with various countries, including Spain, which delivered ambulances and announced immediate delivery of electric generators in October. The project is set to be outlined at an international conference in Paris, under the banner Solidarity with the Ukrainian People, to be opened by the French president. The plan envisions a synchronized, efficient aid system focused on the population across key sectors such as energy, agriculture, water, health and transportation.
Representatives from 48 countries and 24 international or supranational organizations, including development banks and the United Nations, are expected to attend. Ukraine will be represented by President Volodymyr Zelensky via video, with his wife Olena and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also present. European Union leaders will participate, including the European Commission president and the EU’s foreign policy chief, along with several heads of government and ministers. Spain will be represented by the director of its Agency for International Development Cooperation, Antón Leis. The forum aims to craft a rapid, practical approach to aid delivery for the Ukrainian people ahead of winter.
The digital platform is seen as one possible outcome of the Solidarity Forum, designed to address urgent needs and the looming winter crisis.
Stabilized power grid
The conflict has forced Ukraine to counter winter conditions as a strategic front. NATO allies and partners are pledging both the infrastructure needed to keep the country functioning this winter and anti-aircraft systems to defend it. Recently, Ukrainian authorities reported that much of the electricity system was recovering after new Russian strikes, though the situation remains fragile. The energy sector warned that outages could still be frequent as the season progresses. Ukrainian energy officials noted that production capacity had been restored to a large extent, but thermal plants were still operating below peak due to the damage from bombing earlier in December.
For over a month, Russian actions have disrupted civilian infrastructure, causing significant reductions in water, electricity and heating across the country. With winter approaching, temperatures are expected to drop below zero on several days, making reliable infrastructure even more critical.
Not just NATO countries
Countries not usually involved in the Ukraine issue are expected to participate in the Paris conference, including India, which chose not to join votes condemning Russia at the United Nations. Several Gulf states and South Korea will also participate, reflecting a broader international interest in stabilizing the region and limiting Moscow’s influence. Western diplomats express concern about the impact of broad participation on unified action against Russia. France has led efforts to involve its companies in Ukraine support and plans a large business gathering focused on restructuring and targeted aid, with every form of support appreciated by Kyiv even before the war ends.