EU gives Ukraine 600 mn euros to help steady economy

The EU agreed today to give Ukraine 600 million euros in loans as a deadly conflict with pro-Russian rebels continues to sap efforts to stabilise its economy, a statement said.
The payment brings total EU macro-financial assistance (MFA) for Ukraine to 2.8 billion euros (USD 3.0 billion) since 2014, when Kiev broke decisively with Soviet-era master Russia to focus on building ties with the European Union.
The European Commission said the MFA programme has helped Ukraine raise international finance and supported EU-backed reform efforts to root out corruption and restructure the economy.
Ukraine had largely kept its commitments, the Commission said.

"Ukraine has done a remarkable job of stabilising and reforming its economy, despite the armed conflict unfolding on its soil," Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said in the statement.
"With today's disbursement ... The EU reaffirms its long-standing commitment to support Ukraine in its efforts to maintain stability and ensure economic recovery in the country.