The Group of Seven (G7) leading economies agreed Friday to provide $19.8bn in economic aid to Ukraine to ensure its finances do not hinder its ability to defend itself from Russia’s invasion.
German finance minister Christian Lindner told reporters that $9.5bn of the total amount was mobilized at meetings of the G7 finance ministers in Koenigswinter, Germany, this week.
“We agreed that Ukraine’s financial situation must have no influence on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself successfully,” he said at a press conference to mark the end of the G7 finance ministers’ meeting. “We need to do our utmost to end this war.”
Russia’s invasion touched on almost every topic of meetings this week, from the need to reduce reliance on Russian energy to reforming relationships between countries to maintain economic stability.
“Russia’s war of aggression is causing global economic disruptions, impacting the security of global energy supply, food production and exports of food and agricultural commodities, as well as the functioning of global supply chains in general,” a G7 statement said.
US treasury secretary Janet Yellen and other leaders spoke this week about the need for allies to put together enough additional aid to help Ukraine “get through” the Russian invasion.
Source: aljazeera
