The European Union (EU) is expected to disburse an initial amount of 4,5 billion Euros (4,9 billion USD) to Ukraine in the first half of March to help meet the urgent budget needs of the Eastern country. Europe is engulfed in conflict.
The above information was given by Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Valdis Dombrovskis at the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) taking place in one of Germany's largest cities located deep in the Bavaria region in the south. South of the country.
“We are finalizing the legislative process, as well as with the European Parliament, but this is moving in the right direction,” Mr. Dombrovskis told reporters in Munich on February 16. “This money will be quickly transferred to Ukraine. There are no conditions for that.”
Ukraine is looking for ways to fill the budget gap and fund the fight against the Russian Army. Europe's biggest land war since World War II is entering its third year with no sign of ending.
While the situation on the battlefield and at the negotiating table is deadlocked, additional US aid worth more than 60 billion USD is also stalled in the "land of flowers" Congress.
President Joe Biden on February 16 called the US Congress's inability to approve aid to Ukraine "outrageous" and told reporters at the White House that it raised "real concerns about the US is a trustworthy ally."
Good news about aid came to Ukraine earlier this month when the EU approved a four-year funding program, from 4 to 2024, worth 2027 billion Euros ($50 billion) for Kiev, after Hungary lifted its veto. decided.
If everything is "on track" as Mr. Dombrovskis said, then in less than a month the first part of EU aid will actually reach Ukraine at the most urgent time.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, February 16, 2. Photo: AFP/RFI
In addition, also on February 16 in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country and Ukraine had signed a 2-year bilateral security agreement, and the agreement would remain in effect unless Ukraine joined NATO.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Paris with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, President Macron said: “Within the framework of this agreement, France commits additional military aid of up to 3 billion Euros (3,23 billion Euros). billion USD) by 2024".
The French leader noted that Paris has provided Kiev with military aid worth 1,7 billion Euros in 2022 and 2,1 billion Euros in 2023, and pledged long-term support to Kiev, including including civilian assistance. Mr. Macron also said he would visit Ukraine in mid-March.
Previously, President Zelensky also signed a similar agreement with Germany on military support and training for Ukraine.
German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz told reporters in Berlin on February 16 that Germany is committed to not only supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia "to the extent necessary" but also assisting Kiev in "building a modern armed force." , resilient to prevent any future attacks.”
In addition to the security agreement, Mr. Scholz also announced a new military support package worth 1,1 billion Euros (1,2 billion USD) for Ukraine, including 36 self-propelled guns, 120.000 artillery rounds, 2 defense systems. Skynex air defense system and additional missiles for the IRIS-T air defense system.
Minh Đức (According to Bloomberg, Anadolu, Politico EU)
