Kyiv expects Berlin's support in negotiations with World Bank, EBRD, EIB

"We expect assistance in the fight against coronavirus crisis and in conduct of our structural reforms. We also hope that Germany will support us with the World Bank, the EBRD, the EIB and, of course, with the European Commission which approved allocation of EUR 1.4 billion in aid in April,” Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said in an interview with the Handelsblatt German business media outlet on the eve of the first talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel which will be held in a video conference format on May 12.

He added that the Government of Ukraine also hoped that the German bank KfW would provide Ukraine with a EUR 150 million loan to strengthen small and medium-sized businesses amidst the crisis.

The most important task now is to restore foreign trade which has been severely affected by border closures and the global economic downturn, Shmyhal added.

“Ukraine is hit by two crises at once: the fight against coronavirus and the external danger posed by the Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea,” the Ukrainian Prime Minister reminded and thanked Germany for its support in this issue, in particular through its sanctions policy.

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