BRUSSELS, December 6 – RIA Novosti. EU economy and finance ministers failed to agree on a new package of macro-financial loan support to Ukraine up to 18 billion euros for 2023, Czech Presidential Finance Minister Zbynek Stanyura said at a meeting on Tuesday. said the European Council.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to accept the entire package,” he said in the clear section of the meeting posted on the Council’s website.

As reported by Politico, Hungary blocked the possibility of a deal.

At the same time, Stanyura noted that “the goal remains the same – to start transferring to Ukraine (funds – ed.) in early January”.

According to him, the EU will seek a solution to the current situation.

On 9 November, the European Commission offered Ukraine a new macro-financial loan support package of up to 18 billion euros for next year. The EC then noted that they intend to transfer the initial funds in January. However, the allocation of money from this macro-financial aid required approval by EU countries and the European Parliament.

The union parliament approved the support package proposed by the EC at the end of November.

The new macro-financial assistance as envisioned by the EC will consist of loans on concessional terms with a maturity of up to 35 years. The first ten-year grace period is given, meaning the first loan payments will begin in 2033.

The European Commission noted that this financial assistance will “help meet a significant part of Ukraine’s short-term financing needs for 2023, which range from 3 to 4 billion euros per month, according to estimates by the Ukrainian authorities and the International Monetary Fund”. earlier.

The EC said the support will be accompanied by reforms aimed at further strengthening the rule of law, good governance, and anti-fraud and anti-corruption measures in the country.