Europe EU states give green light for new billion-euro payment to Ukraine

The EU states have given the green light for the disbursement of around 4.2 billion euros in financial aid for Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia.

It was important "to make the funds available as quickly as possible in view of the difficult budgetary situation in Ukraine", according to a corresponding statement.

The funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility. This EU aid program was adopted at the beginning of February and is intended to provide financial aid amounting to 50 billion euros by the end of 2027. 33 billion euros of this is to be disbursed as loans, with the remainder in the form of grants.

The EU Commission previously recommended the disbursement

With the financial aid, the EU wants to enable the Ukrainian state to continue paying wages and pensions, for example. In addition, the operation of hospitals, schools and emergency shelters for resettled people is to be guaranteed.

The money can also be used to restore infrastructure destroyed by the Russian war of aggression. This includes power lines, water systems, roads and bridges.

The EU Commission had previously recommended the disbursement and justified this with the fulfillment of reform requirements. These stipulated that the government in Kiev should introduce new laws to enable a more effective fight against tax evasion and economic crime.

In addition, principles for the management of state-owned companies had to be adapted and a national energy and climate plan had to be adopted.

SDA