Ukraine expects almost $4 bln in budget support from U.S. in coming weeks - PM

MOSCOW. July 30 (Interfax) - Ukraine expects to receive $3.9 billion from the United States to support its budget in the next few weeks, Ukrainian media reported Prime Minister Denis Shmygal as saying on Telegram after a meeting with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker.

Shmygal said he and Pritzker discussed the work of the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform.

"Our priorities remain financing budget expenditures, recovery projects and support for energy. Ukraine is grateful for the $7.85 billion of direct budget support that is supposed to be received from the U.S. this year. We already expect the first $3.9 billion in the coming weeks," he said.

He also said they discussed giving Ukraine income on frozen Russian assets. "We discussed issues concerning the realization of this initiative. It's important for us that the funds be available to Ukraine in 2025 already and that it be possible to use them for critical needs," Shmygal said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on social media on July 26 that 1.5 billion euros of income from frozen Russian assets will be allocated to provide military and financial aid to Ukraine.

It was reported earlier that the U.S. will give Ukraine $7.849 billion for budget support under an unprecedented loan repayable in one payment in 40 years. The agreement also allows for the possible forgiveness of part or all of this debt by the U.S. president. Up to 50% can be written off after November 15, 2024 and the whole amount can be written off after January 1, 2026.

Ukraine might also be among the countries for which another $1.575 billion of economic aid will be allocated.

Financial support for Ukraine was discussed during U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo's visit to Kiev on May 29.