Sweden becomes first EU country to provide financial aid to Ukraine through Ukraine Facility
Photo: Benjamin Dousa, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (wikipedia.org)
Sweden has allocated 750 million Swedish kronor (€66.4 million) to the Ukrainian budget under the Ukraine Facility program. This is the first such allocation, states Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, according to Rai News.
"Sweden continues to increase its support for Ukraine, and with this new agreement, it becomes the first EU country to provide additional funds through the Ukraine Facility to strengthen the country’s national budget," Dousa said.
He emphasized that economic stability is a necessary condition for Ukraine to continue paying salaries and pensions, as well as maintaining healthcare, schools, and social services.
"This is important for Ukraine’s resilience and its ability to continue defending itself against Russian aggression. I am very proud that Sweden, as the first country, is taking this step and paving the way for other countries, both within the EU and beyond," the minister added.
Ukraine Facility
The Ukraine Facility is a mechanism for providing financial support to Ukraine for the recovery, modernization, and stabilization of its economy.
Under this program, Ukraine receives funds from the European Union on the condition that it implements pre-agreed reforms.
Sweden’s distinction is that it is the first EU country to allocate additional funds beyond previously agreed amounts directly through this instrument.
On August 8, it was announced that the EU Council approved the transfer of over €3 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility.
