Title: US Vice-President Kamala Harris Announces $1.5bn Aid Package for Ukraine's Energy Sector

In a significant move to support Ukraine's energy sector, US Vice-President Kamala Harris has pledged a $1.5bn aid package during a Ukraine peace summit held in Switzerland. The funding, primarily aimed at repairing infrastructure damaged by Russian bombardments, will play a crucial role in restoring the country's power-producing capacity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that half of Ukraine's power-producing capacity had been destroyed due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. In response, Zelensky called for increased air defense systems to safeguard both energy infrastructure and urban population centers. Several Western countries have heeded his call and offered assistance.

Frequent attacks by Russia on Ukraine's power grid have forced energy companies to implement rolling blackouts, causing immense disruption for the Ukrainian population. The aid package, provided by USAID and the State Department, includes $500m in new funds for energy assistance and $324m redirected for emergency energy needs, according to a statement released by the White House.

The statement emphasized that this aid will aid Ukraine in addressing Russia's recent attacks on its energy infrastructure by supporting repair and recovery efforts, enhancing resilience to energy supply disruptions, and establishing a foundation for the expansion and improvement of Ukraine's energy system.

Furthermore, $369m has been pledged for humanitarian assistance to aid displaced persons and affected communities due to the conflict. Additionally, plans are underway to allocate $300m for life-saving equipment for border guards and law enforcement.

The provided information also highlighted that since the beginning of the war, the US has spent over $3.2bn on humanitarian aid for Ukraine and nearly $1.5bn specifically on the energy sector.

Vice-President Harris is attending the summit in the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock as President Joe Biden was unable to attend. The summit aims to discuss fundamental principles for ending the conflict in Ukraine. However, with Russia not invited and key players like China staying away, expectations for significant progress during the summit remain low.

Switzerland, the host of the summit, hopes that the talks will contribute towards achieving peace. Nevertheless, the absence of Russia signals potential challenges in achieving substantial outcomes from the discussions.

The aid package announced by Vice-President Harris serves as a vital step in extending support to Ukraine's energy sector and paves the way for the country's recovery from the damage caused by Russian attacks.