Zelensky asks EU to provide 6 bln euros in financial aid to Ukraine faster

MOSCOW. Oct 21 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has called on European Union leaders to provide the remaining six billion euros in macro-financial assistance, the decision on which was adopted back in summer, before the end of the year.

"Thank you for the funds that have already been allocated, but a decision has not yet been made on the remaining 6 billion [euros] from this package, which is critically needed this year. And it is in your power to reach a principled agreement on the provision of this assistance to our state as soon as today," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying in an address to the European Council by video link on Thursday.

The president also emphasized the need to enhance support for the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan for Ukraine.

"We have all of these data - what we need exactly. We already have an understanding of the necessary funds. It is 3.5 billion euros this year and about 14 billion euros next year," he said.

"And we have not received anything from these funds so far. But they are vital. So are the next tranches of macro-financial aid for Ukraine," Zelensky said.

As reported, the EU tentatively approved in late May-early June a new 9-billion-euro package of urgent macro-financial assistance for Ukraine. Of this amount, only 1 billion euros have been disbursed so far. The remaining 8 billion euros were expected to be provided as one tranche, but a final decision on it has been delayed. One of the reasons being cited for the delay is an ongoing discussion as to how to provide these funds: as loans or as grant assistance.

As a result, Ukraine received only two billion euros from this aid package this week. European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis has said that the package's third tranche of three billion euros is expected to be disbursed in early December.