Council of EU approves next payment of 4.2 bln euros to Ukraine

BRUSSELS/MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union has approved another disbursement of 4.2 billion euros to Kiev under the Ukraine Facility program, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said.

"This brings us closer to receiving 4.2 billion euros later this month, ensuring total assistance this year reaches 16 billion euros," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Shmygal as saying in a statement on social media.

This financial support highlights the sides' determination to strengthen Ukraine's economy, support key reforms and bring Kiev's EU aspirations within reach, he said.

"In a decision adopted today, the Council concluded that Ukraine had satisfied the necessary conditions and reforms envisaged in the Ukraine Plan for receiving the funds, which will be disbursed from the Ukraine Facility," the Council of the EU said in a communique.

It also stressed the importance of allocating the money as soon as possible.

The Ukraine Plan sets out Ukraine's intentions "regarding the recovery, reconstruction and modernization of the country and the reforms it plans to undertake as part of its EU accession process in the next four years," the communique said.

The Council of the EU concluded in May 2024 that the Ukraine Plan fulfilled the preconditions for Ukraine to receive up to 50 billion euros in support under the Ukraine Facility, and the first EU instalment was disbursed in August.

The Ukraine Facility foresees up to 50 billion euros "of stable financing, in grants and loans" to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernization for the period 2024 to 2027.