The EU will transfer 135 million euros earmarked for Russia and Belarus to Ukraine and Moldova

The European Commission (EC) decided to transfer 135 million euros to Moldova and Ukraine, which were intended for the implementation of cooperation programs with Russia and Belarus. About it reported press office of the EC.

135 million euros were planned as part of a program to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union and beyond – Interreg. The funds were calculated for the period from 2021 to 2027.

The EC decided to transfer this money to the implementation of EU programs with Ukraine and Moldova, which will strengthen cooperation with these countries, said Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion Policy and Reforms.

The report says that the funding can support the development of transport links, health services, educational and research projects, and others.

After the start of a special operation in Ukraine in March 2022, the commission suspended cooperation with Russia and Belarus under the Interreg programs. In this regard, 26 million euros have already been redistributed in favor of Ukraine and Moldova.

The European Union began to impose sanctions against Russia in 2014, since February 2022 they have been significantly expanded. July 20, 2023 EU Council accepted the decision to extend for six months the restrictive measures directed against specific sectors of the Russian economy. As the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen reported, Western countries have frozen 300 billion euros of reserves of the Central Bank of Russia and 19 billion euros of private funds of Russian businessmen.