EU close to its capacity limits to help Ukraine

The European union   (EU) is close to its capacity limits to help Ukraine in crisis, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, acknowledged Wednesday on the eve of the winter summit of the 28-country bloc.

Juncker said that Brussels "can only help (Ukraine) within its budget."

"The relevant EU budget line has been squeezed. There is only a small margin of flexibility for additional financing next year. And if we fully use our margin for Ukraine, we will have nothing to address other needs that may arise over the next two years", warned Juncker.

He stressed that the new Ukrainian government was elected for political and economic reforms. According to Mr Juncker, long standing macroeconomic and structural problems caused a deep recession in Ukraine.

Brussels has provided to Kiev two macro-financial assistance programmes this year, including 600 million euros for the first and 760 million euros for the second, the third envelope of 250 million euros will be released early next year, if political conditions are met.

Juncker called on EU Member States to contribute to a greater flexibility in the budget of the EU, for helping Ukraine which faces enormous challenges.

He also took the opportunity to emphasize the resumption of the peace process in the framework of the Minsk Agreement between Kiev and Russian-speaking Ukrainian militia, and then the restoration of peace in eastern Ukraine.

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