KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday that her first visit to Ukraine underscored Washington’s commitment to continuing to support the country economically, as air raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital .
Yellen said following talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal that the United States had provided nearly $50 billion in security, economic and humanitarian assistance and announced another $1 billion package to boost the country’s economy.
Shmyhal thanked the United States for its support and hailed Yellen as a “friend of Ukraine.” He said Ukraine’s budget deficit is now $38 billion, and the United States will provide another $10 billion in aid by September.
Shmyhal and Yellen also discussed sanctions aimed at weakening the Russian economy, as well as the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine’s economic recovery.
Yellen repeated the message of US President Joe Biden, according to which Washington will stand by Ukraine as long as necessary. He stressed the importance of fighting corruption, praising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for taking steps to ensure transparency in how aid is spent.
The US official also visited a renovated school whose windows were shattered by the blast wave from a Russian missile that landed nearby in March. He also announced an additional transfer of $1.2 billion, the first installment of the $10 billion aid package.
Presidential press office of Ukraine via AP
“Maintaining an effective government is imperative to Ukraine’s ability to respond to Russian attacks and other emergencies,” Yellen said. “Our economic support is to maintain essential public services. These services maintain economic and social stability in Ukraine.”
Addressing the school’s students and teachers, Yeller said he was helping to “write history” in a country that is “a central force in the history of the free world.”
“America stands with you in this fight for freedom, and we will support you and help you rebuild.”
Yellen also met with Zelenskyy and other senior officials, including the head of the National Bank of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy posted on Telegram after the meeting with Yellen that it was “necessary to tighten new sanctions to deprive Russia of the ability to finance the war.”
Yellen also laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance dedicated to fallen soldiers and met with Ukrainian anti-personnel demining experts whose equipment was funded by US funds.
I’m a passionate and motivated journalist with a focus on world news. My experience spans across various media outlets, including Buna Times where I serve as an author. Over the years, I have become well-versed in researching and reporting on global topics, ranging from international politics to current events.