During a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland, Vice President Kamala Harris declared over $1.5 billion in aid, including $500 million for energy assistance. This funding aims to aid Ukraine in responding to Russia’s attacks on its energy infrastructure and to improve the country’s resilience to energy supply disruptions. Additionally, $324 million will be reallocated towards emergency energy infrastructure repair and other essential needs in Ukraine. Harris’s office emphasized the importance of repairing and expanding Ukraine’s energy system to ensure long-term stability.
Humanitarian Assistance for Ukraine
In addition to the support for the energy sector, Vice President Harris announced more than $379 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. This aid, provided by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, is intended to help refugees and other individuals affected by the ongoing conflict. The funding will cover essential services such as food assistance, health care, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services for millions of Ukrainians impacted by the war.
International Engagement
Vice President Harris, representing President Joe Biden at the peace summit, highlighted the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Harris’s participation in the summit comes at a crucial moment, as President Biden is attending the G7 summit in Italy before returning to the U.S. for a fundraising event. The United States has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the crisis in Ukraine, including signing a bilateral security agreement and working with international partners to establish working groups on key issues like energy security and the repatriation of Ukrainian children from Russia.