If U.S. Congress approves support for Ukraine, this would unlock three times the amount from other donors - U.S. envoy Pritzker

MOSCOW. Jan 22 (Interfax) - Support for Ukraine from the United States is a force multiplier, and if the Congress approves assistance for Ukraine, this would enable Kiev to receive three times as much financing from other donors, Ukrainian media quoted U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker as saying in her column for The Hill.

"Our support for Ukraine's International Monetary Fund program generates additional support from donors around the world. Our $11.8 billion request from Congress will help unlock nearly three times that amount from other donors," Pritzker said.

If this is not done, this might have "catastrophic" consequences for Kiev, she said.

"Our economic assistance is creating the basis for the greatest return on investment in terms of Ukraine's state revenue," she said.

"Think about the Black Sea. If we can combine infrastructure, defense and private sector investment we can help Ukraine ramp up grain and steel exports to 8 million tonnes a month, which could add up to $5 billion per year to Ukraine's government coffers, in turn reducing their reliance on international support," Pritzker said.