Brussels, 21/12/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 21 December, the European Commission paid the final instalment of €1.5 billion to Ukraine as part of the EU’s €18 billion macro-financial assistance package for 2023. This assistance will be used to finance the immediate needs of the country, faced with Russian military aggression: payment of civil servants’ salaries and pensions, maintenance of public services and repair of critical infrastructure. According to a Commission assessment dated 14 December, Ukraine has implemented conditional measures: reform of the corporate insolvency regime, reinforcement of the independence of the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, and appointment of the head of the anti-corruption authority (NABU). On 1 February 2024, the European Council will once again attempt to adopt a revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework including macro-financial assistance of €50 billion for Ukraine over the period 2024-2027 (see EUROPE 13315/1). (MB)