25/04/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 25 April, the European Commission disbursed a further €1.5 billion under the EU’s €18 billion macro-financial assistance package for Ukraine for the whole of 2023 (see EUROPE 13082/2). This payment will help the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the provision of essential services to the population during Russia’s war of aggression and to restore critical network infrastructure. According to the Commission, Ukraine has made progress in implementing the conditions attached to this assistance, notably in terms of transparency on the use of the funds allocated, respect of the rule of law and improvement of the gas distribution system. Two further identical payments will be made in May and June. (MB)