Austria donates EUR 153M to Ukraine via European Peace Facility in 2023

Last year, neutral Austria contributed nearly EUR 153.5 million to the European Peace Facility, through which a total of EUR 5.5 billion euros was allocated to Ukraine. The Austrian donation was spent on the needs unrelated to arms and ammunition supply.

That’s according to Austria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg who reported to the Austrian National Council on the EU Agenda for 2024, Ukrinform reports.

"Austria will continue to abstain from decisions regarding the supply of arms and ammunition within the framework of the European Peace Facility (EFF). Austria's share in the total amount of EUR 5.5 billion allocated for Ukraine under the EFF currently stands at about EUR 153.5 million, which corresponds to annual contribution to the EFF at the level of 2.79% for 2023," the report says.

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It is noted that for 2024 Austria's contribution to the European Peace Facility was set at 2.87%.

It was also pointed out that Austria supports the EU Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM) "in light of its unlimited solidarity with Ukraine and as a contribution to European security" and participates in covering the costs of the mission, "but does not train any Ukrainian servicemen."

Austria also participates in EU civil aid and makes an important contribution to supporting he Ukrainian population and the affected neighboring states. "This also applies to 69,000 displaced persons from Ukraine who found protection in Austria and still remain here. To date, more than EUR 206 million of state financial and humanitarian aid have been provided to Ukraine and neighboring countries," the report notes.

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In addition, Austria supported all EU sanctions packages against Russia introduced after the latter unleashed its war against Ukraine. The country believes that "strategic patience is necessary for their implementation", and that all loopholes for their circumvention must also be closed.

As Ukrinform reported ealier, Austria expressed hope for progress in the allocation of aid to Ukraine from the European Peace Facility, which is currently being blocked by Hungary.