Ukraine receives Eur504 mln grants from U.S., UK - Finance Ministry

KYIV. May 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukraine has received Eur504 million grants from the United States and the United Kingdom through the World Bank's multi-donor trust fund (MDTF) within the framework of the second loan program for the Ukrainian development policy and economic recovery.

"As a result of this tranche, the national budget received grants from the United States ($500 million) and the United Kingdom (24 million pounds)," the Ukrainian Finance Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry said that the funds would be spent on social and humanitarian priorities, as well as on healthcare and support for internally displaced persons.

World Bank Group established the MDTF to support Ukraine, which received Eur44.5 million from Sweden on April 11 and Eur88.5 million on April 29 - about Eur20.5 million from Denmark, about Eur0.46 million from Iceland, about Eur5.0 million from Latvia, about Eur5.0 million from Lithuania, and about Eur60.0 million from the UK.

More grants were received on May 2, including Eur495 million from the United States ($500 million), 200 million kronor or about Eur20 million from Norway, and Eur10 million from Austria.