The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the second tranche of the EU's macro-financial assistance with a total value of 1.5 billion euros has been granted to Ukraine.
In February, the EU approved the four-year instrument for Ukraine, providing €33 billion in loans and €17 billion in grants.
The first tranche of EUR 4.5 billion was granted to Ukraine on March 20.
"Ukraine carries a heavy burden on its shoulders for all of us. Today we are disbursing an additional tranche within the framework of the Mechanism for Ukraine (EUR 50 billion)," said von der Leyen.
"This is vital to keep Ukraine's public & services functioning as it fights the aggressor. Europe remains united and resolute," she added.
The chairman of the European Commission stated that the Russian president was mistaken twice. The first time - when he thought that Europe would not help Ukraine. The second time - when he imagined that the US Congress would not vote to grant new aid to Kyiv.
She again stated that Ukraine has made its sovereign choice to join the EU, and the bloc, in turn, is ready to accept Kyiv./BGNES
