The UK has announced that it will offer £35.4m (~€40.1m) in funding to support reform projects in Ukraine, at the Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ukraine has made significant efforts to tackle corruption and improve transparency across the country’s institutions. Vital progress has also been made on healthcare reform and decentralisation, and the funding will support reform projects in Ukraine in pursuit of further progress in these areas.
Funding will support projects which aim to strengthen Ukraine’s sovereignty and resilience, and ensure that the momentum of reform efforts continues. It will also aim to strengthen the independence of oversight committees, particularly as they relate to the oversight of state organisations.
What key areas will the funding address?
The funding will be allocated in a number of priority areas, including:
- £13.4m to bolster Ukraine’s defence and security, prevent conflict, and promote peace-building;
- £11m to economic, governance and political reform, and to support the National Anti-Corruption Bureau;
- £6m in humanitarian aid in the Crimean region; and
- £5m to help Ukraine counter Russian disinformation, particularly with regard to Russia’s illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
In the latter case, the UK is also tackling Russian disinformation in a number of ways, including by supporting Ukraine’s public broadcaster, helping Ukraine’s schools to deliver programmes on disinformation, and funding NGOs which combat fake media stories.
What are the UK government’s priorities for the funding?
According to UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the investment is being provided as a direct response to Russia’s efforts to exert control in the region, as a means of combating the country’s attempts to spread its influence.
He explained: “With Russia continuing its efforts to destabilise Ukraine, and the occupation of Crimea ongoing, Britain must help to lead the way on ensuring Ukraine has a bright, stable and prosperous future. That’s why we continue to provide support, which will help Ukraine to build on the progress it has made.”
