Ukraine needs 4 bln euros, back-up equipment to pass winter - minister

MOSCOW. Oct 25 (Interfax) - Ukraine needs 4 billion euros to get through this winter and the heating season, as well as equipment for water and power supply, Minister of Communities and Territories Development Alexei Chernyshev said.

"We have calculated that we need 4 billion euros to survive this winter, reconstruct houses, and back the healthcare system and energy supply. We want one million Ukrainians to return home by the end of the year, and they need decent conditions," he said at the International Expert Conference on Ukraine's Recovery in Berlin on Tuesday, according to Ukrainian media reports.

In the short term, Ukraine needs the back-up equipment for water and electricity supply, in particular, mobile water treatment stations (3,000 units), mobile heating stations (1,500), diesel generators (25,000), and electric heaters (300,000 units), he said.

Chernyshev said that about 6,000 power generators had already been purchased and the delivery of another 1,300 was expected.

"I ask the partners to focus on this equipment. The next step, surely, is to restore our power plants, but it will take some time, and the winter is already on the doorstep," the minister said.

As reported, the Regional Development Ministry has reached preliminary agreements with Germany to provide Ukraine with 20 million euros to buy the back-up equipment.