More EU humanitarian assistance for Ukraine

The European Commission has been providing additional funding of 2.5 million euros ($3.3 million) for Ukraine, an official statement said Tuesday.

This humanitarian aid will be used to assist the most vulnerable people affected by the continuing fighting in eastern Ukraine, Xinhua quoted an EU statement as saying.

It comes on the top of a funding of 0.25 million euros ($0.3 million) the European Commission, EU's executive body, provided in Ukraine through the International Federation of the Red Cross, the statement said.

"We are moving to help some of the most vulnerable victims of this conflict. They need our help to live through the months ahead, especially with winter looming," European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva said.

"I call on all sides of this conflict to facilitate the work of humanitarian organisations and allow for the provision of assistance to the civilian population in need, irrespective of who and where they are," the Commissioner added.

The European Commission's humanitarian funding will address the basic needs of the population in the areas directly affected by the conflict and the internally displaced and refugees who have fled the conflict areas.

This category includes some 3.9 million people.

The European Union signed association agreements with Ukraine in June with the aim of deepening political and economic ties with the country.