EU Von der Leyen to propose 2023 aid package for Kiev worth $17.8Bln

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday during which she said she will propose a new financial aid package worth 18 billion euros ($17.8 billion) for Ukraine to cover the country's financial needs for 2023.

“The main focus of the conversation was on ensuring financial support for Ukraine in the months ahead,” the Commission’s announcement said.

“President von der Leyen informed President Zelensky that she would this week propose a substantial financial package from the EU of up to EUR 1.5 billion a month, totaling up to EUR 18 billion, which would contribute significantly to cover Ukraine’s financing needs for 2023. Both leaders recognized the importance of ensuring predictable and regular funding of essential state functions.”

The support would be in the form of highly concessional long-term loans, the Commission said, adding that it will cover the interest costs and work will be carried out to support Ukraine’s reforms and its path towards EU membership.

The announcement added that the financial package would need to be paralleled by similar support from other major donors.

“President von der Leyen confirmed ongoing work by the EU to continue to provide immediate humanitarian support to Ukraine, particularly over the winter,” it added.

The Pentagon said on Friday that the Defense Department is establishing a new command to supervise how the United States and its allies train and equip the Ukrainian military, along with a new package of $400 million in security support.

According to current and former senior US officials, the Pentagon's commitment to providing Ukraine with weapons and the establishment of the new command is crystal-clear indications that Washington anticipates the "threat" from Russia to Ukraine and its neighbors to last for a very long time, as reported by the New York Times.

The command will “ensure we are postured to continue supporting Ukraine over the long term,” Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, told reporters at a news briefing.

“We remain committed to Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

In October, the US announced a $275 million military assistance package for Ukraine, including HIMARS launchers, ammunition, and 155mm artillery rounds; two NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems) were also to be delivered to Ukrainian soldiers once they complete their training on the systems.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the US has reportedly supplied Kiev with $15.2 billion in weapon supplies. Meanwhile, Europe spent around ($3.1 billion vs. €3.1 billion) in military supplies. The EU also claimed that it also sent funding for non-military assistance and humanitarian aid.

However, the situation on the ground tells a different story, as Ukraine is begging for blankets "to protect its citizens from cold winter".

In the upcoming days, Ukraine's nighttime temperatures are predicted to plummet, with some regions experiencing lows of -20C. Surprisingly, one thousand mobile heating points have been set up in Kiev by Klitschko and his team after they were successful in purchasing generators that provide enough electricity for Ukrainian troops in Kiev.