Partners' assistance helps maintain social stability in Ukraine - Zelensky

MOSCOW. Nov 23 (Interfax) - Assistance from its partners enables Ukraine to maintain social stability and fulfil its social obligations, Ukraine's media quoted Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky as saying in a video address on Tuesday.

"We have some much needed financial news today. First, there is another tranche of macro-financial aid of 2.5 billion euros from the European Union. It is very important. We are also waiting for approval of the macro-financial aid program for the following year in the amount of 18 billion euros," Zelensky said.

The United States has announced that it will soon provide $4.5 billion in additional funding to directly support Ukraine's budget, he said.

"I am grateful to the partners for these important steps of solidarity. Thanks to such decisions of our friends, we maintain social stability and fulfill our social obligations," Zelensky said.

Despite the crisis, "we have been making stable payments to pensioners - that's almost 11 million Ukrainian men and women," the president said.

"Indexation of pensions was carried out, as provided by the law. Six million citizens have some form of social support. This month alone, social payments stood at almost 14 billion hryvni in total. This is assistance to families with many children, low-income citizens, single mothers, and people with disabilities. Also, more than two million internally displaced persons receive assistance from the state. Plus salaries for budget-paid employees," Zelensky said.