News story: Chancellor sets out further economic support for Ukraine at G7 meeting in Bonn
Rishi Sunak also discussed how global partners can continue to work
together to soften the war’s impact on the global economy
He
will also urge G7 counterparts to maintain momentum behind and deliver
the historic agreement on global tax reform – ensuring companies pay
their fair share of tax in the countries in which they
operate
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak confirms
that the UK stands ready to guarantee up to $50 million for further
financing to Ukraine, to help ensure the continued provision of
electricity to its citizens.
The Chancellor attended meetings
with G7 partners today and will continue to do so tomorrow, alongside
the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. They discussed efforts to
support Ukraine and the ways in which the war is adding to pressures
on the global economy, including impacts on the cost of living in the
UK.
Today, Rishi Sunak announced the UK’s commitment to
guarantee $50million, of further financing to Ukraine from the
European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, which is
headquartered in London. This comes on top of the $950m in loan
guarantees that the UK has already committed to significantly scale up
World Bank lending to the Government of Ukraine to help meet urgent
fiscal needs.
This guarantee will be used by the EBRD to
provide further financing to the Ukrainian electricity grid operator,
Ukrenergo to support continued provision of electricity to the brave
Ukrainian people, subject to approval by Parliament.
This
funding forms part of the significant economic, humanitarian and
military support the UK has committed to Ukraine, totalling well over
$3 billion.
The Chancellor also discussed the shared
challenges facing the global economy, including the rising cost of
living globally, and the acute challenges faced by developing
economies including heightened food insecurity.
He pushed his
partners in the G7 to ensure that the sanctions announced so far are
being urgently implemented and strongly enforced to exert maximum cost
on Putin and his regime. Ahead of the meetings, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said:
I remain steadfast with my G7
partners in standing with Ukraine. I am pleased to confirm up to
$50million in UK guarantees for EBRD critical support in Ukraine. This
will help Ukraine continue to provide electricity to its citizens as
they fight for their freedom.
It’s clear that Putin’s barbaric
and illegal invasion of Ukraine has not only had a devastating
humanitarian impact on Ukraine; it is also causing significant
disruption to the global economy, the impacts of which are being felt
across the G7, including here at home in the UK.
I am
determined to work with my G7 partners to confront these shared
challenges.
Tomorrow, the Chancellor will also call for
progress on the implementation of the international tax agreement that
was struck last year during the UK’s presidency of the G7. This
historic global tax reform will ensure companies pay their fair share
of tax in the countries in which they operate. In Bonn, the Chancellor
will encourage his partners to maintain momentum and collaborate to
deliver on the agreement as swiftly as possible. Further
information
Whilst in Bonn for the G7 Finance Ministers and
Central Bank Governors meeting, the Chancellor will meet with his
partners for working sessions over today and tomorrow and will have
bilats with some of the attending finance ministers.
The UK’s
combined economic, humanitarian and military package of support,
totalling over $3 billion comprises:
i) around $500 million in
economic and humanitarian grant support for Ukraine. This comprises: a
£220 million (c. $290m) package of humanitarian aid, making the UK a
leading bilateral humanitarian donor; a c. £75m ($100m) fiscal support
grant, channelled through the World Bank Trust Fund; a £100 million
(c. $130m) grant to support Ukraine’s energy security and
reforms,
ii) Almost $1 billion in guarantees on World Bank
lending to Ukraine, unlocking additional WB financing on a 1:1 basis
over the coming months. These financial guarantees are subject to
parliamentary approval.
iii) $50 million in potential
guarantees on lending to Ukraine by the European Bank of
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This will be used to guarantee
$100 million of EBRD lending to Ukrenergo. This guarantee is subject
to parliamentary approval.
iv) Over $1. 5 billion in military
aid, including thousands of anti-tank weapons
The G7 is also
expected to discuss international solutions to combat carbon leakage
and financing for pandemic preparedness.