Ukraine needs help this winter, says UN goodwill ambassador and actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

As Ukraine braces for another tough winter, the United Nations is seeking to raise awareness of the dire conditions facing millions of Ukrainians left without electricity for hours and no heating. UN Goodwill Ambassador and acclaimed actor Nikolai Kostov-Valdao spoke to Euronews Europe editor Maria Tadeo from Ukraine, calling for more assistance to help the country keep the lights on. Take a listen. The whole, the grid is centralized. The heating is old school. It's all the way back from the Soviet days. It's a very, it's very vulnerable. And of course, it's being targeted constantly. So there's this, I met some emergency services. I was out and they, you know, they work constantly. They're very, very brave men and women. But obviously it's a very, very, Tricky situation. Now, the good thing, if you want to look at something good, is that there's actually there's a there's an effort done to decentralize this whole system. And there's a lot of. equipment that has been donated. Now, the problem is, it's not that simple to just plug in and go. It's because it's a different system, this system in Kyiv is old, the new system, of course, is different technology, but it can be done. But of course, we need a lot of help. Ukrainians can't do this on their own, they need us to help them. And you are a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. But what is your message to Europeans who may go, I hear what you say, I listen to what you're saying, but this is not a war for Europe. It is too long now, five years. It is coming at a big cost. It just needs to end. What is your message to Europeans? Obviously, we can all have opinions. That doesn't really, for me in this situation, is not important. I think that the fatigue, yes. Fatigue, I've been here for one week, every night being woken up not being able to sleep tonight. Yeah, fatigue is real here in Ukraine. Trust me, I don't think anyone's more exhausted by this war than the Ukrainians. Yes, and yes, in Europe, there are voices that will... But usually, I think most people can see through that, that if the politicians try to use it, it usually it's in a domestic policy discussion. And I think I've met so many volunteers from around Europe, here in Ukraine, who really do a great job. And I think we all understand that. That we have to help civilians. It's that simple. And I don't want to get too much into the politics, but we've seen voices, we've heard voices. The likes of Le Pen in France have said if she is elected, she will not pay for Ukraine. Based on your own experience, and you were there last week, is this good value for money? Is this something more beyond, quote unquote, charity? If you want to look at it in a cynical way, if it's all about checks and balances and it's not about morals, fair. This is a very good investment in the future, you know, because on so many levels, I think Europe needs a free Ukraine and Europe needs a strong Ukraine and needs a Ukraine that can, once this is over, will be able to get back on their feet quickly. And also, remember, There is an insane amount of knowledge and innovation that has happened, that happen every day in Ukraine, that we will all benefit from. And lastly, I have to ask you, you have been a UN goodwill ambassador for years now. There is a race very active to elect the next head of the United Nations. When you look at this institution, is there still a future for the United Nations? Obviously, any big organization is not perfect. The UN is not perfect. I don't see an alternative. I think we have to go back, in my opinion, to look, let's look at the charter and then let me hear if anyone disagrees with the charter. And that is because it's a beautiful written document. Now. Reform is always good, is needed. I don't know who the right person is, but I think that, yes, can the UN be better? Absolutely. But tearing something apart bit for bit does not help. We need to support it, just like we need to support Ukraine.