US Treasury transfers $20 billion in Ukraine loan funds to World Bank facility
G7 Finalizes $50 Billion Ukraine Loan Backed by Russian Assets - The New York Times
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US pays $20 billion into Ukraine loan fund
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The cash transfer comes as attempts to fast-track aid to Kiev before Donald Trump takes office
- The money was paid into a World Bank fund that will transfer it to Kiev, the Treasury said in a statement.
- The EU will contribute an additional $20 billion to this fund, while G7 members Britain, Japan and Canada will add another $10 billion, for a total of $50 billion that Ukraine will theoretically repay over 40 years.
One week earlier, President Joe Biden authorized a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, and imposed additional economic sanctions on Russia.
“President Biden has committed to making sure that every dollar we have at our disposal will be pushed out the door between now and January 20,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters last month.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the seizure of Russian assets will undermine global confidence in the US and its allies, while the Kremlin has repeatedly denounced the asset freeze as “theft” and argued that tapping into these funds would be illegal and set a dangerous precedent."
Press Releases
Treasury Department Announces Disbursement of $20 Billion Loan to Benefit Ukraine, To Be Repaid with Proceeds Earned from Immobilized Russian Sovereign Assets
WASHINGTON — Today, the United States Department of the Treasury is announcing the disbursement of $20 billion for the benefit of Ukraine, as part of the $50 billion G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans initiative.
“These funds – paid for by the windfall proceeds earned from Russia’s own immobilized assets – will provide Ukraine a critical infusion of support as it defends its country against an unprovoked war of aggression,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. “The $50 billion collectively being provided by the G7 through this initiative will help ensure Ukraine has the resources it needs to sustain emergency services, hospitals, and other foundations of its brave resistance. Together with America’s security assistance to Ukraine and the steps we will continue to take to decisively tighten sanctions on Russia, this action will further position Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and achieve a just peace. Right now, Putin is engaging our coalition in a contest of wills, counting on us to tire and ultimately retreat. But, through creative policymaking and the unity of the G7, we are sending an unmistakable message of resolve by making Russia increasingly bear the costs of its illegal war, instead of taxpayers in our coalition.”
Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, G7 members took bold action to immobilize Russia’s sovereign assets in their jurisdictions and committed that these assets will remain immobilized until Russia ends its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine—paving the way for G7 ERA loans. Today, the United States followed through on its October commitment to provide Ukraine with $20 billion under this initiative, by transferring these funds to the World Bank’s Facilitation of Resources to Invest in Strengthening Ukraine Financial Intermediary Fund (F.O.R.T.I.S. Ukraine FIF), through which they will be made available to Ukraine. Through the ERA initiative, the G7 has drawn forward the windfall proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets, using those proceeds to support Ukraine.
Ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression demonstrates the resolve of the United States and our partners to defend democracy against belligerent authoritarian regimes, to protect the global economy, and to reinforce our collective security. Supporting Ukraine is also vital for the national interest of the United States. Letting Ukraine fall would invite further aggression by Putin and jeopardize the safety of our NATO allies in Europe, who we are committed by treaty to defend. A successful Ukraine will demonstrate the resolve of the United States and our partners to defend democracy against aggression, protect the global economy, and reinforce our collective security.
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