LUCERNE, Switzerland - US Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged over USD 1.5 billion in aid for Ukraine's energy sector and humanitarian relief, amid ongoing tensions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has lasted 27 months.
The announcement came during Harris's attendance at a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland, where she met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and addressed the summit's plenary session.
The aid package includes $500 million in new funding for energy assistance and the redirection of $324 million from previously allocated funds towards emergency energy infrastructure repairs and other essential needs in Ukraine, according to the vice president's office.
"This assistance will support Ukraine in responding to Russia's recent attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, enhancing resilience against energy supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork for repairing and expanding Ukraine's energy system," Harris's office stated.
Additionally, Harris announced more than $379 million in humanitarian assistance from the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This funding will provide food aid, health services, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services to millions of Ukrainians affected by the war.
Harris's visit to Lucerne, Switzerland, will span less than 24 hours. She is representing President Joe Biden, who is concluding his participation at the G7 summit in Italy before returning to the United States for a reelection campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles.
During her time at the summit, Harris met with President Zelensky and delivered a keynote address at the plenary session. President Biden had previously met with Zelensky at the G7 summit, where they signed a bilateral security agreement between the US and Ukraine, and also in France for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day invasion.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will continue US participation at the summit on Sunday, working to establish working groups focused on the return of Ukrainian children from Russia and on energy security.
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