U.S. plans to disburse $4.5B in direct budget support to Ukraine in coming weeks

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said this before a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Serhiy Marchenko, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters.

According to the report, Congress approved that funding two weeks ago, bringing total U.S. direct budget support for Ukraine to $13.5 billion - all in grants.

"We're committed to getting this funding to you as soon as possible because we know how important it is in supporting your brave resistance to Russia’s illegal invasion," Yellen said.

According to her, Washington had also joined with Ukraine's major creditors to suspend the country's bilateral debt service payments this year and next year.

Yellen also called on partners and allies to make good swiftly on their existing commitments to support Ukraine and to join the United States in doing more as Russia continues its "barbaric" attacks.

"Let me be clear: international support for Ukraine is a collective effort. We are calling on our partners and allies to join us by swiftly disbursing their existing commitments to Ukraine and by stepping up in doing more - both to help Ukraine continue its essential government services and to help Ukraine begin to build and recover," Yellen said.

She also expressed her condolences to Marchenko and senior Ukrainian officials for the latest Russian attacks, aimed at the capital Kyiv and other safe-haven cities, and pledged Washington's continued support.

"Once again, the world has seen the true nature of Russia's barbaric and illegal war. The United States continues to stand resolutely with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We will continue to support you as you rebuild the prosperous and free Ukraine that your country has fought so hard to secure," Yellen said.

As part of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko met with the management and representatives of the World Bank.