Ukrainian envoy urges Thailand to support energy restoration

Ukrainian envoy urges Thailand to provide further humanitarian assistance to help restore the country’s energy system ahead of what he described as a harsh winter, with generators and equipment for hospitals among the most urgent needs.

Chargé d’Affaires, Viktor Semenov, said Ukraine appreciates Thailand’s support on various fronts, but he stressed that assistance to restore energy infrastructure would be particularly important as Russian attacks continue to affect critical systems.

“We’d really appreciate your support on the harsh winter by Thailand through the Red Cross. Humanitarian purposes, with international laws and rules of conduct. Restoration of the energy system. Generators and equipment for hospitals are needed,” Semenov said.

He said Thailand has provided support to Ukraine every year, including assistance for humanitarian and energy-related purposes, adding that continued international coordination was important for Kyiv.

He added such support could come in the form of power-generating equipment and other humanitarian supplies, pointing to requests from Ukrainian hospitals for medical equipment and machines as another area where Thailand could assist.

The appeal comes as Ukraine faces continued attacks on its infrastructure while preparing for another winter under wartime conditions.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand has provided humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people through financial contributions and relief supplies delivered via the Thai Red Cross Society, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, the Polish Red Cross Society and the United Nations Children’s Fund. The assistance has so far amounted to about 26 million baht.

The latest sixth batch, worth 5 million baht, was provided through the Thai Red Cross Society on January 21, 2026.

‘Believe in Ukraine’

Semenov emphasised a message to the Thai public, urging people to believe in Ukraine, freedom and independence.

He stressed that Ukraine believes it is defending not only its own territory but also broader principles governing relations between countries.

“We are protecting not only our territory. But we are protecting the principles and international law. We are protecting the UN Charter. For me it’s obvious that it’s light and dark. And it’s very easy to choose your own message,” he opined.

Semenov said Thai people he met had expressed their support for international law, which he described as an important source of encouragement for Ukraine.

Technology race reshapes battlefield

Semenov said that the war is increasingly becoming a technological conflict, particularly with the growing use of artificial intelligence in drones and other military systems.

Asked about reports that Russia is using AI-powered drones, he said Ukraine has also been using artificial intelligence in its military operations.

“Let’s be clear that this is a technological war. The advantage belongs to the side that makes the next technological step faster and adapts faster to the new system of technology,” he said.

Semenov noted that, in his personal assessment, Ukraine currently has a technological advantage over Russia on the battlefield, including in artificial intelligence.

On Ukraine’s most pressing military needs, Semenov said several priorities were important, particularly air defence and the ability to counter Russian missile attacks.

“Just now, we are in a very complex situation about air defence. For us, it’s very important to have a lot of missiles and to intercept Russian missiles,” he said.

At the same time, he reiterated that Ukraine’s ultimate objective is a comprehensive and lasting peace.

“For us, it’s important to restore comprehensive and lasting peace,” Semenov said.

He added that Ukraine also wants to restore its territorial integrity, but said a ceasefire would be necessary as part of the process, saying that “We have proposed unconditional ceasefires several times, but Russia has just dismissed. ”