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Ukraine says not received over €16 bln from fundraisers

On Monday, Ukraine declared that it was unable to account for the 16 billion euros ($17.4 billion) received from two donor conferences, which took place in Poland in 2022 during the initial stages of Russia's invasion. This news comes as Kyiv expresses concerns about both military and financial assistance, as the conflict enters its third year.

AFP WORLD
Published March 04,2024
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Ukraine said Monday that it had not seen the 16 billion euros ($17.4 billion) in proceeds from two donor conferences held in Poland in 2022, early in Russia's invasion.

The announcement comes amid worries in Kyiv surrounding military and financial support, with the war entering its third year.

The two events in 2022 had raised 10 billion and six billion euros, respectively, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal told a press conference.

"Ukraine received nothing from them. The funds were raised by Poland together with the European Commission to support Ukraine," he said.

"Where did they go, what did they support... Ukraine has received nothing," he added.

In April 2022, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced that a global pledging event for Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw had raised 10.1 billion euros.

A separate event held in the Polish capital the following month raised over 6.3 billion euros, also with the European Union's backing, the Polish government said at the time.

Ties between staunch allies Poland and Ukraine have frayed in recent months amid a dispute over grain imports and a blockade on their shared border led by Polish farmers.

Kyiv has warned it desperately needs more military and financial assistance as it waits for a fresh $60 billion package of US aid held up in Washington.

Shmygal earlier urged Western countries to speed up the handover of confiscated Russian assets to Ukraine, as it seeks to rebuild from over two years of war.