EU to Provide Ukraine with 3.5 Billion Euros in Financial Aid
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that a new aid payment of 3.5 billion euros will be made to Ukraine in March, stating that “Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine at this critical time”.
The European Union (EU) continues to provide assistance to Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, spoke at an international meeting in Kiev on the occasion of the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, which brought together leaders from the EU, non-EU Nordic countries, and Canada under the theme of supporting Ukraine. Von der Leyen stated, “Putin is still aiming for Ukraine to surrender”.
Emphasizing that their priority is to strengthen Ukraine’s resistance, Von der Leyen said, “The issue at hand is not only Ukraine’s future. Therefore, the EU and its member states have provided a total of 134 billion euros in support to Ukraine so far, which is more than what anyone else has provided. Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine at this critical time. I would like to announce that a new payment of 3.5 billion euros will be made to Ukraine in March.”
Ursula von der Leyen mentioned that a special European Council meeting will be held to discuss a comprehensive plan on how to increase Europe’s defense capabilities and weapons production. She said, “Ukraine will also benefit from this plan.” Von der Leyen also highlighted that they have prepared an ambitious package for energy security, aiming for Ukraine to have a resilient, secure, and competitive energy system. She added, “By the end of next year, we will fully integrate Ukraine and Moldova’s electricity markets into the EU’s electricity market.”
Von der Leyen affirmed that the EU will continue imposing sanctions on Russia, as she noted the acceptance of the 16th sanctions package against Russia today. She said, “We will continue to increase punitive measures as long as Russia does not show a true willingness to reach a lasting peace agreement.”
The 3.5 billion euro payment announced for March will be allocated within the 50 billion euro support package committed under the “Ukraine Facility” program established by the EU in early 2024.
