This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
The United States is allocating an additional $4.5 billion in direct budget support to Ukraine, Voice of America reports citing a statement by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
“These funds will begin to be disbursed in the coming weeks and will help the government of Ukraine defend against Russia’s illegal war by strengthening economic stability and supporting essential public services, including salaries for hospital workers, civil servants and teachers, as well as social assistance for the elderly and vulnerable. Combined with our security support and the tremendous bravery of the Ukrainian people, these funds are a critical tool in Ukraine’s resistance to Putin’s unprovoked invasion,” the statement said.
The US Treasury notes that these payments will bring the total direct US budget support for Ukraine to $13 billion in grants.
In addition to providing economic support, the Treasury Department and the US government will continue to use all tools, including “a historic coalition of sanctions, to weaken Putin’s war machine,” the US agency added.
US President Joe Biden signed a law in October that provides for the funding of the federal government until mid-December and the allocation of aid to Ukraine in the amount of more than 12.3 billion dollars.
