The Council of the EU today approved additional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 5 billion, the Euro Institute reported.
"Today, the (EU) Council officially decided to provide Ukraine with additional macro-financial assistance in the amount of 5 billion euros as a matter of urgency," the message reads.
Thus, on September 9, EU finance ministers agreed on a statement in support of this additional aid to Ukraine at an informal meeting of the EU Ecofin Council in Prague.
"The European Union stands by Ukraine. We are keeping our promises and helping to ensure that the Ukrainian state and its key infrastructure continue to function despite Russia's war of aggression. At the next Ecofin meetings, I will push for an agreement on the remaining €3 billion as soon as possible, and so must we. to agree on the division of this amount into loans and grants," said Zbinek Stanyura, Minister of Finance of the Czech Republic, which presides over the EU Council.
As reported, this macro-financial assistance of 5 billion euros will be provided to Ukraine in the form of long-term loans on very favorable terms. In addition, today's decision reportedly provides the EU budget with funds to cover the risk of losses on these additional loans, as well as the €1 billion loan approved on July 12 and provided in two tranches on August 1 and 2.
"This decision should be followed by a quick adoption of a further decision implementing the third stage of the planned full macro-financial assistance of the Union for an additional amount of up to 3 billion euros, as soon as the structure of this assistance is determined," the Euro Institute added.
Reaction of Ukraine
Denys Shmyhal has already thanked the Prime Minister of Ukraine for the 5 billion euro macro-finance. "Today, the Council of the EU approved macro-financial aid in the amount of 5 billion euros. I thank the EU member states for their unity in supporting Ukraine. Each of your votes is a significant contribution to our joint victory. The package of 9 billion euros by the end of the year is a guarantee of this," he wrote . Shmygal on Twitter.