On Monday, the European Union and war-torn Ukraine reached an agreement that will allow the delivery of an additional 500 million euros ($497 million) in planned aid for housing, education, and agriculture.
The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, made the announcement while hosting a meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal.
Spokesman Eric Mamer claimed that the European Union grant money would help strengthen Ukraine’s agricultural economy and provide shelter and education for displaced people and returnees.
Ukraine will be able to apply to the EU digital economy fund to expand high-tech training and industry in addition to the most recent aid instalment, which is part of a larger support package began in April.
On Monday, the first association council meeting will take place following Ukraine’s acceptance as a formal candidate to join the EU following Russia’s February invasion.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and EU enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi are leading a conference in Brussels to enhance Ukraine’s participation in EU programs.
Although Ukraine has a long way to go before it can become a full member of the European Union, the EU and its majority of member states are supporting Kyiv in its fight against Moscow by supplying arms, economic aid, and sanctions against Russia.
Shmygal, after being invited to EU headquarters, posted on his Telegram account, “Among our current priorities is the imposition of a total energy embargo against Russia.”
He predicted that Ukraine would become Europe’s “gas vault” since it had the continent’s greatest subterranean gas deposits.
“The government’s goal, after becoming a candidate country, is to speed up the process of joining the EU’s energy market.”
