On June 15, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a substantial commitment of over $1.5 billion to bolster Ukraine’s energy sector, address humanitarian needs, and enhance civilian security. This announcement was made during the Summit for Peace in Ukraine and marked Vice President Harris’s sixth meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The United States, through USAID and the State Department, will allocate these funds to support various critical areas in Ukraine. USAID will provide $500 million in new funding for energy assistance, along with redirecting $324 million from previously announced funds to address urgent energy needs resulting from recent attacks. This financial support aims to repair damaged energy infrastructure, expand power generation capacity, encourage private sector investments, and safeguard energy facilities. These efforts are crucial in helping Ukraine recover from recent attacks on its energy infrastructure, enhancing resilience against supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork for future system improvements.
In addition to energy assistance, Vice President Harris announced over $379 million in humanitarian aid from the State Department and USAID. This aid will cater to the pressing needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and conflict-affected communities affected by Russia’s ongoing aggression. It includes provisions for food, healthcare, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene services for millions of vulnerable Ukrainians within the country and across the region. The support also encompasses comprehensive protection measures, including case management and psychosocial support, as well as assistance for agriculture and livelihoods to help families restore their incomes and meet basic needs.
Furthermore, the State Department, in collaboration with Congress, plans to allocate an additional $300 million in civilian security assistance to Ukraine. This funding will facilitate the provision of life-saving equipment to Ukrainian border guards and law enforcement personnel, enabling them to operate safely on the front lines. Their efforts will focus on defending Ukrainian territory, rescuing civilians from targeted attacks, protecting critical infrastructure, and investigating numerous registered cases of war crimes and atrocities.
These financial commitments are part of a broader foreign aid package initiated by President Biden to support Ukraine’s population amid sustained Russian aggression. This aggression has resulted in significant casualties, displacements, and severe disruptions to essential services such as electricity and water. Despite these challenges, Ukrainians continue to resist Russia’s invasion with determination, both on the battlefield and through international support.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the United States has allocated over $3.2 billion in humanitarian assistance and nearly $1.5 billion to support Ukraine’s energy recovery, promote clean energy solutions, and enhance transparency in the sector.