Alexander De Croo
Alexander De Croo is a Belgian politician and leader of the liberal Open VLD party. He served as Prime Minister of Belgium from 2020 to 2025, heading a coalition government. He subsequently became Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
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ISW: Russia begins winter energy strike campaign earlier than usual to pressure Ukraine into capitulation
The Institute for the Study of War assessed on October 4 that Russia has started its seasonal campaign of strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure earlier than in previous years, ahead of the 2026–2027 heating season. ISW said the goal is to make civilian life unbearable and force Ukraine to capitulate, and that the Russian Ministry of Defence's claims of retaliating for Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian objects are pretextual. The assessment comes as Russia has already struck energy facilities in multiple oblasts and bridges in Kyiv repeatedly in early October.
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Ukraine says it obtained Russian plans for winter strikes on energy infrastructure, details defensive preparations
Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukrainian intelligence obtained two Russian documents detailing Moscow's planned strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this winter. The documents contain tables specifying targets, weapons and munition allocations. Shmyhal described protective construction and tripled reserve stockpiles, and said Ukraine will continue deep strikes on Russia if energy attacks continue.
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Bloomberg: Russia may be stockpiling ballistic missiles for winter strikes on Ukraine's energy sector
Bloomberg reported on September 21 that Russia has significantly reduced its use of ballistic missiles against Ukraine since August, instead relying more on jet drones, and may be stockpiling ballistic missiles for renewed strikes on energy and heating infrastructure during the winter cold season. Ballistic missiles have historically caused some of the heaviest damage to Ukrainian energy facilities, and a shortage of Patriot interceptors remains a key vulnerability heading into winter.
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Von der Leyen announces EU–Ukraine joint missile defense, Patriot procurement and SAFE-funded program in State of the Union
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her 16 September State of the Union address to announce that the EU will jointly develop an affordable modular missile defense system with Ukraine based on the Freyja project, launch a new program for joint projects with Ukrainian defense companies using remaining SAFE funds, and urgently deliver American Patriot interceptor missiles newly procured for Ukraine. She framed the package as the EU's strongest-ever support for Ukraine ahead of what she described as the harshest winter of the war.