US to provide Ukraine with $220 million to carry out reforms
The total amount of US assistance for Ukraine is estimated at $1.3 billion since 2014
After a meeting between Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groysman and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the White House press service reported that the U.S. intends to allocate $220 million of new aid for Ukraine to carry out economic, political and energy reforms.
"This aid package will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, the foundations for sustained economic growth and the ability to respond to humanitarian needs," the statement reads.
These funds will also be used to accelerate the implementation of customs reforms including legal, regulatory, infrastructure and electronic customs support; the establishment of a new customs control centre and assistance in implementing reforms in the area of recruitment, selection, screening, training and support of new customs officers.
Moreover, the assistance will be aimed at supporting the fight against corruption by supporting reforms in the key sectors of the justice system including implementing changes to the Constitution adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on June 2nd, the implementation of reforms developed by Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko, the expansion of the U.S. partnership with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the National Police and also the support of independent media and civil society.
The U.S. intends to support decentralization efforts by helping to improve the quality of provided services, increasing citizen participation and increasing their awareness of the advantages of the reforms.
The planned reforms include increasing energy security through programs which create transparent and fair gas and power markets in accordance with EU standards, diversification of energy sources, and improving energy efficiency.
The total amount of U.S. assistance for Ukraine is estimated at $1.3 billion since 2014 in addition to $2 billion in loan guarantees. On June 3rd Ukraine signed a loan agreement for $1 billion with the U.S.
"The U.S.A. believes that these loan guarantees will help Ukraine stabilize their economy and protect the most vulnerable part of the population from the impact of reforms," the statement reads.
$142 million of this support package will be provided by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, as reported on the Ukrainian government’s website.
"USAID plans to support Ukraine in the energy sector as well as decentralization and judicial reform efforts estimated at $142 million including $70 million to reform the energy sector of Ukraine, $50 million to support decentralization and $22 million to reform the judicial system," the statement read.
Earlier, the U.S. Senate adopted the defense budget which provides financial assistance for Ukraine in the amount of up to $500 million.