WASHINGTON, D. C. – Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith announced during her meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman several new programs designed in partnership with the Government of Ukraine to further energy sector and judicial reforms in Ukraine. These programs are part of $220 million in new United States government foreign assistance to Ukraine announced today by Vice President Joe Biden during his meeting with Prime Minister Groysman. The Administrator and the Prime Minister also discussed key priorities and challenges facing the new Ukrainian government and its ongoing progress to implement democratic, judicial, and economic reforms.  

This year, USAID plans to launch a new energy independence project that will assist Ukraine in developing competitive energy markets through support to critical energy sector reforms, integration into European Union markets, private sector investments, energy efficiency, the fight against corruption, and global climate change mitigation.  

USAID will also provide assistance to strengthen justice sector reforms in Ukraine. Administrator Smith and Prime Minister Groysman discussed the historic constitutional changes adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament on June 2 that  provide the foundation for a reformed judicial system based on judicial independence, accountability, and efficiency.  The Administrator urged the Prime Minister to continue the government’s efforts to implement key justice sector reforms including fighting corruption. 

The U.S. Government has been a close partner of Ukraine and its people since its independence in 1991.  Over the last 25 years USAID has provided critical development assistance in support of the Ukrainian people.