Ukraine will receive the first tranche in 2023 in the amount of EUR 3 billion from the EU this week as part of a macro-financial assistance (MFA) package totaling EUR 18 billion, European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis has said.

"Honoured to sign MoU on behalf of the EU to provide Ukraine with EU financing in 2023 – up to EUR 18 bln in loans. First payment of EUR 3 bln to follow later this week. This will help Ukraine cover its pressing needs – with stable flow of payments throughout year," he wrote on Twitter.

In turn, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said that the disbursement this week will be the first international financial support for Ukraine in 2023.

"The agreement over the 18 billion of support for this year brings much needed predictability and relief to Ukraine's state budget," the ambassador wrote.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel: "Ukraine and the EU have signed a memorandum of understanding on the provision of EUR 18 billion of macro-financial assistance in 2023."

According to him, the first tranche in the amount of EUR 3 billion is expected to be received later this week.

As reported, in December the leaders of the European Union approved a four-part economic package, which includes a compromise on the provision of EUR 18 billion of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in 2023. EU member states approved a compromise on EUR 18 billion for Ukraine, a minimum tax for large corporations, a recovery plan for Hungary and budgetary conditions.