US and UK to Provide Almost $1.5 Billion in Aid to Ukraine
The United States will provide Ukraine with new financial support worth more than $700 million, while the United Kingdom will allocate £600 million (more than $780 million) to Kyiv.
This was announced by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during a visit to Kyiv.
According to Blinken, ‘part of the aid will be used to strengthen the energy system, which Russia has repeatedly attacked ahead of the expected severe winter’.
Overall, according to the Secretary of State, the $325 million in energy support will help to do the following:
- repair and restore Ukraine's energy generating facilities,
- provide backup power in emergency situations,
- strengthen the physical security of the energy infrastructure.
At the same time, according to Blinken, ‘about $290 million will be used to fund programmes to provide food, water, shelter, healthcare and education for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees abroad.’
The rest of the aid, which amounts to $102 million, will be used for demining activities, the US Secretary of State said.
For his part, Lammy said: ‘The UK's support for Ukraine is unwavering. Our pledge of over £600 million is another step in our long-term commitment to Ukraine. It will provide vital support to Ukrainians who continue to face relentless Russian attacks.’
According to him, in particular, £242 million will be allocated in 2024-2025 for urgent humanitarian, energy and stabilisation needs, as well as to support reform, recovery and reconstruction.
This year's funding includes £100 million for humanitarian assistance, including support for Ukrainians in communities near the frontline. An additional £20 million will double this year's aid for essential repairs, protection of power grids, and strengthening of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The £40 million will be used for stabilisation and early recovery ‘so that Ukraine not only wins the war, but can take the first step towards peace’. This funding includes vital assistance to Ukraine in countering Russian aggression, support for the stabilisation of the recently liberated territories, and funding for the prosecution of war crimes committed in Ukraine.
The British Foreign Secretary also announced his intention to provide loan guarantees worth $484 million by the end of the year for World Bank loans to strengthen Ukraine's economic stability. The funds will be used to support the operation of schools and hospitals, pay civil servants and fund pensions.
As The Gaze previously reported, on 11 September, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Ukraine on a visit.