Ukraine Receives First Tranche Of $5 Billion EU Aid Package

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Kyiv received 2 billion euros ($1.97 billion) in financial assistance from the European Union on October 18 -- the first tranche of a 5 billion-euro ($4.91 billion) EU package following Russia's unprovoked invasion. "The additional financial resource will help to cover urgent budgetary expenses, in particular for the social and humanitarian spheres," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The European Council approved the 5 billion euros in financial assistance on September 20. Shmyhal said Ukraine…