Conditions fulfilled: Ukraine receives new EU billions
The Council of the European Union has approved the disbursement of around 4.1 billion euros in financial aid for Ukraine. As announced by the Representation of the Member States in Brussels, this is the second regular payment from the EU's new support program. Like the first payment, it is linked to reform conditions.
09.12.2024, 16:02
SDA
According to the EU Commission, the reform steps initiated for the new aid include additional administrative capacities to combat corruption and a new law to prevent, reduce and monitor industrial pollution. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had spoken of impressive progress in important reforms on the road to EU membership.
The new EU aid program provides for financial aid of 50 billion euros over four years for the country attacked by Russia. 33 billion euros are to be paid out as loans, the rest as non-repayable grants. Around 7.9 billion euros had already been disbursed in the first half of this year in the form of bridge financing. This was followed in the summer by the first regular disbursement of just under 4.2 billion euros.
With the financial aid, the EU wants to enable the Ukrainian state to continue paying wages and pensions despite the defensive struggle against Russia. In addition, the operation of hospitals, schools and emergency accommodation for resettled people is to be guaranteed. The money can also be used to restore destroyed infrastructure. This includes power lines, water systems, roads and bridges. Last year, the EU disbursed financial aid amounting to 18 billion euros.
