Ukraine can receive the first urgent packet from the United States next week

The House of Representatives of the US Congress approved the bill on financial and technical assistance to Ukraine, promised earlier this week by Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to Kyiv. The purpose of the emergency packet, in particular, is to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on natural gas supplies from Russia.

It is also supposed to help Ukrainian business find new export markets, adapt to pressure in the retail sector and increase energy efficiency. Help will not be provided in the form of a direct loan, but in the form of guarantees for debt obligations, RBC reports.

The decision was supported by 385 congressmen, 23 opposed. Now the provision of assistance to Ukraine should approve the upper house of Congress - the Senate. It is expected that there the vote on this issue will take place next week.

In case of approval, the Senate will send the law to sign the president. This is the first specific assistance that the United States is provided to the new Ukrainian authorities.

Earlier, the head of the American administration has repeatedly announced his readiness to provide such support to Ukraine and called on the Congress to approve the corresponding document.

Recall that financial assistance to Ukraine is prepared by the EU and the IMF. On March 6, during an extraordinary European Union summit, 11 billion euros ($ 15 billion) were approved by Ukraine. From the IMF, Ukraine intends to ask for the same amount of $ 15 billion. In addition, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development offer Ukraine an investment of $ 8 billion.