Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on December 25 that these funds will be directed toward several priority areas, notably ensuring free meals for elementary schoolchildren, restoring critical infrastructure, and bolstering uninterrupted agricultural production.
Key Details
- Second Tranche: Ukraine previously received the first part of this EU macro-financial support, and this €150 million is the second tranche under the EU’s rapid recovery assistance program.
- School Meals: A portion of the funds will go to providing free meals for students in grades 1-4, alleviating household burdens and promoting better nutrition and education outcomes for younger children.
- Infrastructure Restoration: The support will help rebuild essential facilities, such as transportation networks, utilities, and community structures, many of which have been damaged during the war.
- Agricultural Sector: A share of the funds aims to maintain uninterrupted farming operations, crucial for Ukraine’s food security and export potential.
Context
Prime Minister Shmyhal thanked the EU for its significant contribution to Ukraine’s reconstruction, support for businesses, and ensuring stable living conditions. He noted that this financial assistance is important not just for meeting current social needs, but also for driving the long-term economic recovery of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the United States recently provided Ukraine with an additional 1 billion hryvnias sourced from the profits of frozen Russian assets. As U.S. President Joe Biden nears the end of his term, American military support for Ukraine has also been highlighted through the continued supply of air defense missiles and artillery ammunition.
