Switzerland to allot almost 45 mln Swiss francs for assistance to Ukraine

MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - Switzerland will allot almost 45 million Swiss francs to help Ukraine through the winter, and the funds will be spent on repairs of the energy system among other purposes, Ukrainian media said, citing a press release published on the Swiss Foreign Ministry's website.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are helping the authorities, local partners and UN agencies supply Ukrainians with essentials this winter, the press release said. Specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) are present in Kiev.

Contributions to multilateral funds such as the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) and the Ukraine Energy Support Fund can be used to restore and upgrade municipal energy systems, the press release said.

According to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Switzerland had allotted 84.5 million francs for assistance over the past two years. Since February 2022, it has provided over 477 million francs to support people affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries.