Recital (2) · Decision (EU) 2022/1628

(2)In spring 2014, Ukraine embarked on an ambitious reform programme with the aim of stabilising its economy and improving the livelihoods of its citizens. The fight against corruption, as well as constitutional, electoral and judicial reforms, are among the top priorities on the agenda. The implementation of those reforms was supported by consecutive macro-financial assistance programmes, under which Ukraine has received assistance in the form of loans for a total of EUR 6,6 billion. The emergency macro-financial assistance, which was made available in the context of mounting tensions at the border with Russia, pursuant to Decision (EU) 2022/313 of the European Parliament and of the Council^note, provided EUR 1,2 billion in loans to Ukraine, disbursed in two instalments, each of EUR 600 million, in March and May 2022. The Union’s exceptional macro-financial assistance of up to EUR 1 billion pursuant to Decision (EU) 2022/1201 of the European Parliament and of the Council^note, provided swift and urgent support to the Ukrainian budget and was fully disbursed in two tranches on 1 and 2 August 2022. That assistance constituted the first stage of the planned full Union’s exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine for up to EUR 9 billion, announced by the Commission in its communication of 18 May 2022 entitled ‘Ukraine Relief and Reconstruction’ and endorsed by the European Council of 23-24 June 2022. This Decision constitutes the second stage in the implementation of that envisaged Union’s exceptional macro-financial assistance. It establishes the basis for providing to Ukraine a further amount of up to EUR 5 billion of macro-financial assistance in the form of loans on highly concessional terms. This Decision should be followed swiftly by the adoption of a further decision implementing the third stage of the planned full Union’s exceptional macro-financial assistance for a further amount of up to EUR 3 billion once the design of that assistance has been determined.