European Union announces 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine

Building damaged by clashes in Mariupol, Ukraine.

The European Union (EU) on June 20 announced a 50 billion euro (55 billion USD) aid package for Ukraine.

The package, expected to be announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, comes after the bloc's 2021-2027 budget revision and ahead of an international conference in London on June 21-22 on fundraising to help rebuild post-conflict Ukraine.

A senior EU official said the package includes 33 billion euros in macro-financial assistance to help replenish Ukraine's national coffers, of which the EU has committed to provide 18 billion euros in 2023 alone.

Ahead of an international conference in London, a senior Ukrainian official said Kiev was seeking $40 billion for the first phase of a Green Marshall Plan to rebuild the post-conflict economy .

The World Bank (WB) estimates that rebuilding Ukraine will require more than 400 billion USD, three times the country's GDP.

Previously, on June 13, the US Department of Defense announced a new military aid package worth 325 million USD for Ukraine, including missiles for air defense systems, ammunition and military vehicles.

This is Washington's 40th aid package to Kiev using Presidential Withdrawal Authority (PDA), which allows the US government to transfer defense articles and services from stockpiles quickly without congressional approval in an emergency.

As part of the latest aid package, Ukraine will receive additional missiles for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), 155mm artillery shells, Stinger air defense systems and anti-tank weapons.

In addition, the aid package also includes 15 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 10 Stryker armored personnel carriers, secure communications equipment and more than 22 million rounds of ammunition for small arms.

According to a US State Department spokesman, Washington has provided about 40 billion USD to ensure security for Kiev since February 24 last year, when the conflict in Ukraine began./.

According to VNA

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