U.S. grant of $1.5 bln enters Ukraine govt budget - PM Shmyhal

MOSCOW. Sept 19 (Interfax) - A $1.5 billion grant from the United States from the World Bank's special-purpose fund has entered Ukraine's government budget, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said.

"The government budget has received a grant of $1.5 billion. This is the final tranche of $4.5 billion from the United States from the World Bank's special-purpose fund," Shmygal tweeted.

Shmygal said that the funds would be allocated to reimburse budgetary expenses for pension payments and social assistance programs.

According to Ukraine's Finance Ministry, the United States overall has promised to allocate $12.99 billion to Kyiv in order to cover the budget deficit, and more than half of the funds have already been allocated. All funds are provided as grants.