EU pledges $9.5B in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - The EU Commission chief on Wednesday announced an additional €9 billion ($9.5 billion) in macro-financial assistance for Ukraine.

“We are proposing to top up the significant short-term relief provided until now, with a new exceptional macro-financial assistance for Ukraine of up to €9 billion in 2022,” Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.

She said that the EU has a responsibility and strategic interest in leading the efforts to rebuild the country, and proposed to set up a reconstruction platform.

The platform, led by Ukraine and the EU executive body, would coordinate the efforts of EU members, other countries and international donors, as well as international financial institutions, she explained.

According to the EU chief, the reconstruction of Ukraine “should combine investment with reforms,” involving the areas like “anti-corruption, administrative capacity, rule of law, and independence of the judiciary.”

“These investments will help Ukraine emerge stronger and more resilient from the devastation caused by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s soldiers,” she stated.

At least 3,752 people have been killed and 4,062 injured in Ukraine since the start of the war on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is believed to be much higher.

Over 6.2 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.