European Commission disburses €1.5bn macro-finance tranche to Ukraine

On Wednesday, 24 April, the European Commission announced the disbursement of a €1.5 billion tranche of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine as part of a large €50 billion support package.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described on Twitter the funds as vital to support the functioning of the civil service in Ukraine as the country fights Russian aggression.

"Ukraine is carrying a heavy burden on its shoulders for all of us. Today, we disburse an additional €1.5 bn, under the €50 bn Ukraine Facility," the official stressed.

In March, the European Commission made the first disbursement of €4.5 billion under the Ukraine Facility programme.

On 27 February, the European Parliament adopted a tentatively agreed-upon version of the document introducing a new €50 billion four-year support mechanism called the Ukraine Facility. The next day, on 28 February, it was finally approved by the Council of the European Union.