FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meets with Mexican business leaders during her visit in Mexico City, Mexico December 6, 2023. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reassured Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Tuesday that the Biden administration was committed to securing $11.8 billion in budget support to Kyiv as part of a supplemental U.S. funding request.
The Treasury said in a statement following a virtual meeting between the two officials that Yellen "underscored the importance of Congress acting on financial support for Ukraine as quickly as possible."
The Treasury said that the U.S. leadership in providing direct budget support for Ukraine catalyzes other donors, which are providing roughly three-quarters of Ukraine's 2024 external financing needs, which support vital government operations, including hospitals, schools and first responders.
"Financial support to Ukraine remains inextricably linked to its success on the battlefield" the Treasury said, adding that it also demonstrate the resolve of the U.S. and its allies to defend the territorial sovereignty and freedoms of democratic countries.
"Providing financial support to Ukraine will help Ukraine win the war and advance U.S. national security interests globally," the Treasury added.
(Reporting by David Lawder; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
