US V-P Harris announces $2b in Ukraine aid at Switzerland peace summit

LUCERNE, Switzerland – US Vice-President Kamala Harris pledged America’s unwavering support for Ukraine and announced more than US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) in aid for the country’s energy sector and its humanitarian situation as a result of Russia’s 27-month invasion.

Ms Harris made the announcement at

the Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland,

where she met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. She is expected to address the summit’s plenary session at 5.30pm Central European Summer Time (11.30pm Singapore time).

“This war remains an utter failure for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Ms Harris said, during a bilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky. “It is in our interest to uphold international norms,” she added, pledging US support for the country.

The US$1.5 billion includes US$500 million in new funding for energy assistance and the redirecting of US$324 million in previously announced funds towards emergency energy infrastructure repair and other needs in Ukraine, the Vice-President’s office said.

“These efforts will help Ukraine respond to Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine 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,” Ms Harris’ office said.

She also announced more than US$379 million in humanitarian assistance from the State Department and the US Agency for International Development to help refugees and other people impacted by the war.

The money is to cover food assistance, health services and shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene services for millions of Ukrainians.

Ms Harris, who will spend less than 24 hours at the gathering, will be standing in for President Joe Biden at the event. The President will be just ending his participation at the Group of Seven (G-7) summit in Italy and returning to the US to attend a fund-raiser in Los Angeles for his re-election campaign.

Mr Biden met Mr Zelensky both at the G-7 summit, where they

signed a US-Ukraine bilateral security agreement,

and in France, for events surrounding the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day invasion.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will represent the US at the summit on June 16 and help establish working groups on returning Ukrainian children from Russia and on energy security. REUTERS