LUCERNE: The Unites States (US) Vice President Kamala Harris announced over $1.5 billion aid for Ukraine, with a portion going toward the country’s energy sector and humanitarian needs, in response to Russia’s 27-month invasion of Ukraine.
Harris made the announcement at a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland, where she was scheduled to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and address the summit’s plenary session.
The aid package includes $500 million in new funding for energy assistance and the reallocation of $324 million in previously announced funds for emergency energy infrastructure repairs and other urgent needs in Ukraine, according to the vice president’s office.
“These efforts will help Ukraine respond to Russia’s latest attacks on its energy infrastructure by supporting repair and recovery, improving Ukraine’s resilience to energy supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork to repair and expand Ukraine’s energy system,” Harris’ office stated.
Furthermore, Harris announced more than $379 million in humanitarian assistance from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. This aid will support refugees and others affected by the war, covering food assistance, health services, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services for millions of Ukrainians.
Harris, who will spend less than 24 hours in Lucerne, is standing in for President Joe Biden at the event. Biden will be concluding his participation at the G7 summit in Italy and returning to the United States to attend a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in Los Angeles.
During the summit, Harris will meet with Zelensky and address the plenary session. Biden met with Zelensky both at the G7 summit, where they signed a U.S.-Ukraine bilateral security agreement, and in France during events marking the 80th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day invasion.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will represent the United States at the summit on Sunday, helping to establish working groups focused on the return of Ukrainian children from Russia and on energy security.
