U.S. And Europe Send Billions More In Economic Aid To Ukraine

The U.S. States Treasury announced on Tuesday it was sending an additional $1.7 billion in economic aid to Ukraine to help continue funding the country's 'essential services', TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

The move followed an announcement by the EU 's top diplomats early in a day approving more than $1 billion the first instalment of a 9 billion rescue package agreed in May.

Janet Yellen, U.S. treasury secretary, said in her statement that Washington's latest contribution of economic assistance for Ukraine was part of President Biden's commitment to support the government of Ukraine as it defends Ukraine's democracy against Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable war, and that it's intended to directly help those suffering from the war.

The U.S. contribution was made possible by "generous bipartisan support" from Congress, the U.S. Agency for International Development added, confirming that the funding will go to pay the salaries of Ukraine's beleaguered health care workers and provide other essential services.

To date, USAID has provided $4 billion in direct support to the Ukraine government for core functions such as keeping electricity on for hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure, as well as paying for humanitarian supplies and the salaries of healthcare workers, civil servants and teachers.

Yellen is currently visiting Tokyo, where she met Japanese officials on Tuesday to discuss strengthening economic sanctions against Russia.

Alex Raufioglu

Washington D.C.