€18 billion for Ukraine – Brunner: New EU aid package “very challenging”

The EU commission wants to present its proposal on Wednesday to support Ukraine with another €18 billion in loans by 2023. The aid must also be approved by the EU Parliament. European Commission Vice-Valdis Dombrovskis said the decision was scheduled for December 6.

Brunner: ‘It’s about loans’
The plan to support Ukraine with €18 billion is “very challenging,” Finance Minister Magnus Brunner said in Brussels on Monday. “But of course Austria will also make its contribution here. It concerns loans that must be made available and we will also talk about that,” said the Minister of Finance.

Three billion euros must flow in January
First aid should flow in next January, Dombrovskis said. According to the Czech finance minister and the current president of the EU Council, Zbynek Stanjura, three billion euros will flow to Kiev in January.

By the end of this year, 2.5 billion euros must be paid to Kiev for this year’s outstanding payments, Dombrovskis said. And added: “Ukraine’s financing needs are urgent.”

Czech Finance Minister: “Emotional experience for all of us”
Aid to Ukraine is one of the priorities of the Czech EU presidency, Stanjurar said. “Last week the Czech government was in Kiev and it was a very emotional experience for all of us,” said Stanjura. “I believe that the EU Council of Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) will agree very soon on further financial aid to Ukraine, and I think we will give Ukraine EUR 18 billion by 2023,” the Czech head of department said.