EU gives another 1.5-bln-euro tranche to Ukraine - European Commission president

BRUSSELS. June 22 (Interfax) - The European Union transferred another tranche of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine amounting to 1.5 billion euros on Thursday, out of the 18 billion euros assigned for 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

"Today we disburse another 1.5 billion euros for Ukraine in macro-financial assistance," von der Leyen said on a social network.

She promised further EU support for Kiev.

Earlier this week, von der Leyen proposed that 50-billion-euro financial reserves be approved for Ukraine within the next four years.

In December 2022, the Council of the European Union approved the provision of 18 billion euros' worth of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in 2023 with a ten-year grace period. EU member states will repay most of the interest. The loan guarantees will be provided by either the EU budget or EU members.

The European Commission said that Ukraine would repay the loans within 35 years, starting in 2033.

The European Commission gave the first tranche of 3 billion euros to Ukraine in January. Monthly tranches of 1.5 billion euros have been provided since March. The previous tranche was transferred on May 23.