BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen is traveling to war-ravaged Ukraine on Friday with the promise of 160 million euros ($180 million) in fresh energy funds to get the nation through the winter.
Von der Leyen told reporters that 100 million euros ($112 million) of the funds would come the proceeds of the Russian assets held in the EU because of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused,” she said.
The European Union estimates that about half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been destroyed, making the job of heating homes, hospitals and schools increasingly difficult as temperatures dip ahead of the third war winter that the nation will face.
Von der Leyen said Russia knew full well that bombing energy stations was hitting Ukraine where it really hurts. Morale to keep on fighting can be significantly sapped if millions shiver in the brutal winter for months on end.
“We may see huge implications,” said Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency. “People will look to move around, to go to the places where they can have shelter and heating."
That makes international help all the more necessary, said von der Leyen.
“As Ukraine’s friends and partners, we must do all we can to keep the lights on. And as winter is approaching, well, we must keep the brave people of Ukraine warm, while we also are keeping the economy running,” she said.
Many of the upcoming efforts will go into repairing the damage done. Lithuania, for example, is dismantling a thermal power plant to ship it piece by piece to Ukraine for rebuilding there. With continued electricity exports from EU countries, von der Leyen said it would cover about a quarter of the nation's energy need in the coming months.
The EU is trying to decentralize energy production through the use of solar panels and other new technologies in Ukraine to make it more difficult for Russian attacks to have a direct impact on the energy grid. It would also help Ukraine become a greener economy, she said.
Overall, the EU estimates that it has provided Ukraine with at least 2 billion euros ($2.24 billion) in energy support since the February 2022 invasion. Von der Leyen said she will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss energy issues on Friday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presents her new team for her next five-year tenure at the head of the bloc, during a press conference at the European Parliament, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Strasbourg. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presents her new team for her next five-year tenure at the head of the bloc, during a press conference at the European Parliament, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Strasbourg. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
MADRID (AP) — When Endrick joined Real Madrid after turning 18, many questioned whether he could fit in with the main squad or if it would be better to send him out on loan or to the “B” team to gain experience.
Madrid decided to keep him close, and only a few matches into the season, the only doubt surrounding the Brazil forward is about when he will get a chance to earn a first start with Carlo Ancelotti's first team.
Endrick has made the most of his minutes off the bench and quickly proved his worth, gaining the trust of his teammates and exciting fans who now want to see more of the young sensation.
He remains in a secondary role with a star-studded squad that includes already established forwards such as Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappé, but the Brazilian has put himself among the first in line to earn more chances.
And Endrick may get just that — and even his first start with the Spanish powerhouse — as Madrid begins a series of matches that could prompt Ancelotti to start rotating his squad more often.
The series will begin on Saturday with a match against Espanyol in the Spanish league, where Madrid is already four points behind Barcelona after a lackluster start. There will also be a few Champions League matches coming up, and it should be a matter of time before Endrick gets his opportunity.
“He has this gift, which is very effective, and in training you can see that he has something special,” coach Ancelotti said. "He’s very effective, with a very strong and very quick shot. He has proved to be very brave in all senses of the word.”
Endrick impressed Ancelotti and his teammates with a stoppage-time goal against Stuttgart in the Champions League on Tuesday, when he decided to deliver a long-range shot instead of taking advantage of a breakaway with Mbappé and Vinícius by his side.
“He had courage because the best approach was to take advantage of the three-on-one situation, but he was confident of scoring and he did that very well because the ultimate goal is to score,” Ancelotti said. “It was the most difficult option. He’s capable of doing things that nobody can think of. Nobody thought he’d be able to shoot in that situation.”
That goal in a 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu made Endrick the youngest Champions League scorer for Madrid, surpassing former great Raúl González. He gained points with the fans when he approached them by going behind the net during his celebration.
“Nice to meet you. Endrick,” the Brazilian wrote on Instagram later.
Endrick needed only 10 minutes to make an impression on his Spanish league debut against Valladolid last month, registering a late goal as a substitute to become the youngest foreign player to score for Madrid in the competition. He played in four other matches after that, every time coming off the bench.
Endrick, who a few days ago announced he got married, was only 16 when he was sold to Madrid by Brazilian club Palmeiras for more than 40 million euros (about $45 million), plus add-ons, in 2022, but had to wait until he turned 18 before he could start playing for the team.
League leader Barcelona will try to extend its perfect record to 6-0 when it visits fourth-place Villarreal on Sunday. Villarreal is one of three teams four points behind the Catalan club, along with Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Atletico visits Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Real Madrid's Endrick celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Real Madrid won 3-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Endrick celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Real Madrid won 3-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Endrick celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Real Madrid won 3-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Endrick celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Real Madrid won 3-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
