Ukraine accused Germany and other European Union (EU) countries on Tuesday of blocking funds promised to Ukraine as Ukraine faces a financial crisis stemming from Russia’s invasion.
“We are waiting for eight billion euros, but, unfortunately, certain EU countries, including Germany, are blocking the examination of this problem,” Ihor Zhovkva, deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian president’s office, told local media.
He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi was in “active negotiations” on the issue.
Kyiv has received one billion euros of the nine billion euros in financial aid promised to it by the EU in May, Zhovkva said.
The European Commission has announced that the remaining funds may require guarantees from Member States, as their provision through the EU budget is not possible due to a lack of resources.
The press secretary of the German Finance Ministry rejected Zhovkva’s statement and said that Berlin is not delaying the granting of aid to Ukraine.
“After the G7 meeting in Petersburg, Germany gave Ukraine one billion euros. Germany will also participate in further assistance. The German government has engaged in dialogue with its European partners and the European Commission on this issue,” he said.
Several international rating agencies downgraded Ukraine’s credit rating in July. Ukraine’s largest state company “Naftogaz” failed to pay its foreign debts a week ago.
The President’s Office estimates that Ukraine needs additional funding of almost 50 billion euros for 2023.
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