US gives $1.7 billion to fund Ukraine government; Russian car sales tank amid sanctions squeeze: Recap
The U.S. provided another $1.7 billion to ensure the Ukrainian government can continue to provide essential services such as health care.
Also Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a $1 billion EU contribution should reach Ukraine this month.
The U.S. contribution was made possible by “generous bipartisan support” from Congress, the U.S. Agency for International Development said. To date, USAID has provided $4 billion in direct budgetary 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 health care workers, civil servants and teachers.
“$1.7 billion is not just yet another financial support, it is an investment that makes us a step closer to victory,” Viktor Liashko, Ukraine’s minister of health, said in a statement.
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– Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY
Contributing: The Associated Press