EU will create a special €50 billion fund for Ukraine
The European Parliament has approved the revision of the EU budget for 2021-2027. It includes the creation of a special €50 billion Ukraine Fund. MEPs also allocated an additional €5 billion to strengthen the EU’s ability to respond to "unforeseen crises".
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press service of the European Parliament.
MEPs approved the allocation of an additional €10 billion for 2024-2027 in addition to the €65.8 billion previously proposed by the European Commission.
The European Parliament increased budget items by €2 billion "in light of recent external challenges, especially Russia's war against Ukraine and the growing migration problems".
MEPs also allocated an additional €3 billion for the new Strategic Technology Platform for Europe (STEP) and €5 billion to strengthen the EU's ability to respond to unforeseen crises.
The decision was approved with 393 votes in favor and 136 against. 92 abstained.
"We are committed to stabilising the situation in Ukraine with a new €50 billion programme, while strengthening the EU economy. We are strengthening the budget by adding funds for migration and ensuring flexibility to respond to crises," said Polish MEP Jan Olbricht.
Co-rapporteur Margarita Marquez noted that by 31 December 2023, the EU wants to have funds available to support Ukraine and continue to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of the war, as well as the rising inflation and cost of living crisis.
