Blinken made it clear that Washington would keep an eye on corruption. (file)
London:
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced $1.3 billion in new US economic aid for Ukraine and vowed that Russia would eventually pay back financially for its invasion.
“As Russia continues to wreak havoc, we are here to help rebuild Ukraine — rebuild life, rebuild our country, rebuild our future,” Blinken told a rebuilding conference in London. “
“Let’s be clear – Russia is causing the destruction of Ukraine, and Russia will ultimately bear the cost of rebuilding Ukraine,” Britain and EU leaders said to thunderous applause.
The new funding — which comes from money already approved by the US Congress — is in addition to the $63 billion the United States has provided to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Some $40 billion in aid has come in the form of weapons and other security assistance.
Blinken said some $657 million of the new aid would be spent on upgrading Ukraine’s rail lines, ports, border crossings and other infrastructure to help the country expand trade with Europe.
Mr Blinken said the additional $520 million in aid would help Ukraine repair its energy grid, most of which has been destroyed by the Russian attacks, including market reforms.
In addition to the rest of the aid, $100 million will support the upgrade of Ukraine’s customs services, including a transition to digital technology to improve transparency in trade.
Mr Blinken made clear Washington would watch for corruption, which could erode congressional support for helping Ukraine, and called on Ukraine’s parliament to approve a law against monopolies.
Mr Blinken said the United States would expand aid to support anti-corruption bodies and civil society as well as free media.
Such institutions are “vital to ensuring the phenomenal resources we are all provided with are managed responsibly”.
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