Brett McGurk is a CNN global affairs analyst who served in national security under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
McGurk said these efforts were coordinated by Amos Hochstein, the State Department’s Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security under the Biden administration. Hochstein worked closely with European allies, some of whom were initially skeptical about the likelihood of a large-scale war.
Key preparations included:
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Disconnecting Ukraine’s power grid from Russia and synchronizing it with the European network — a critical operation completed just hours before the invasion
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Increasing energy supplies ahead of each winter season
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Deploying mobile generators and backup power systems to support critical infrastructure — including water systems and heating
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Distributing thermal kits and local heating units to vulnerable regions
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Facilitating resource deliveries from Europe and energy-rich Middle Eastern countries.
McGurk said these proactive steps helped strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience and better prepare the country for Russia’s campaign of attacks on civilian infrastructure during the cold months.