Pritzker is in Berlin: US provides Ukraine with USD 824 million in energy support
This was announced today in Berlin during a conference on Ukraine's recovery by US Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
The US representative said that both the US and Europe are experiencing a significant election period, with elections in the EU, the UK, and India, among others. However, the international community remains attentive to the situation in Ukraine, with Putin being a prominent concern. The United States exemplifies this interest; in a vote on the supplemental agreement held just last month, 70 percent of Congress, including both houses, supported the supplemental package. This package includes more than USD 60 billion in aid for Ukraine, showcasing not only US support but also the sentiment of the American people.
She noted that the United States understands how serious the situation in Ukraine is and is working hard with its allies and friends in Europe to accelerate military, economic and energy support for Ukraine.
Pritzker reminded that in the past 45 days alone, the United States has allocated USD 2 billion in military equipment for Ukraine. The United States is currently working with Ukraine to provide USD 7.8 billion in budgetary support, as well as USD 1.5 billion for Ukraine's economic recovery, right where Ukrainians need it most.
In addition, just 10 days ago, the US extended tariff exemptions for Ukrainian steel, allowing tariff-free exports of this product from Ukraine to the US. The United States is also introducing a new system of war risk insurance to expand investment in Ukraine, in particular to support small and medium-sized enterprises and vocational training, which is of great interest to the private sector.
The US government representative announced that, given the dire energy situation, the United States is providing USD 824 million to support Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
She noted that the United States, along with Ukraine, its EU partners and the United Kingdom, is working to develop a "pre-project" legal framework to ensure that the significant international money coming into Ukraine is directed to specific projects that are effective and worthy of bank support.
Pritzker stressed that all these efforts, not only from the US but from all allies, aim at economic, financial, and energy support for Ukraine. Much depends on Ukraine continuing to implement reforms, which the Ukrainian authorities are currently doing. This is necessary to prepare for EU membership. The urgent task is to tackle corruption, customs irregularities, and the grey market. Ukraine is also addressing these issues because 8 out of 10 of its citizens want to see such very tough steps.
She noted that one of the challenges facing the international community today in the context of its collective commitment to rebuild Ukraine is to support and assist those who will organise Ukraine's recovery, the quality of leadership in Ukraine, which should reflect the principles of integrity, unity and democratic values.
The US representative said that this will signify a real break from the Soviet era and the transition of Ukraine to the European, Western era, which the Ukrainian people are so keenly seeking. The joint assistance of all the countries represented in this room, the acceleration of Ukraine's reforms and anti-corruption efforts, together with the increased efforts of the private sector, can serve as the fuel for a real economic recovery in Ukraine. For Ukraine to become a prosperous, democratic, independent country integrated with the EU and NATO, which is what Ukrainians want and deserve.
As reported earlier, an international conference on Ukraine's recovery is taking place in Berlin today, attended by leaders of several European countries, foreign ministers, representatives of European business and industry. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the conference.
Photo: twitter.com/specrepukraine
