President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on EU leaders to provide the remaining EUR6 billion of macro-financial assistance by the end of the year, a decision in principle on which was made in late May – early June.
“Thank you for the funds that have already been received, but a decision has not yet been made regarding the remaining 6 billion from this package, which are critically needed this year. And it is in your power to come to an agreement in principle today on providing this assistance to our state” , the President said, speaking on Thursday by video link to members of the European Council.
He also spoke about the need for more support for the implementation of the Ukrainian Fast Recovery Plan.
“You have all this data – what exactly we need. We already have an understanding of the necessary funds. This is 3.5 billion euros this year and about 14 billion euros next year,” Zelensky said.
“And so far we have received zero from these funds. And they are vital. As well as the next tranches of Macrofin for Ukraine are vital,” the head of state stressed.
As reported, in late May-early June, the EU tentatively approved the allocation of new emergency macrofinancial assistance to Ukraine for EUR9 billion, of which EUR1 billion was allocated in early August. The remaining EUR8 billion was expected to come in one tranche, but the final decision on them was delayed. One of the reasons cited is the debate over how these funds should be provided: in the form of loans or grants.
As a result, only EUR2 billion was received this week, while the Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis said that the third tranche of EUR3 billion is expected in early December.
