EIB and World Bank join forces with new agreement to support Ukraine

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and World Bank (WB) have signed an agreement under EU guarantee that aims to facilitate the purchase of gas by Ukraine’s national gas company, NJSC Naftogaz.

The agreement was signed today by EIB President Werner Hoyer and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. The EIB will guarantee up to USD 520 million of selected World Bank loans in Ukraine, which will enable the World Bank to guarantee letter of credit facilities for gas purchases by Naftogaz. Today's agreement was facilitated by a counter-guarantee of the European Union granting comprehensive cover to the EIB linked to risks of these selected WB loans in Ukraine.

EIB President Werner Hoyer said: “European and global institutions are committed to helping Ukraine avert a potentially severe energy crisis as winter approaches. The guarantee agreement we signed today will facilitate Ukraine’s purchase of gas at a critical time. The deal reflects the EIB’s enduring support for Ukraine as part of EU cooperation with the country and the Union’s Eastern Neighbourhood region.”

“The new agreement is part of our broad support to the restructuring of the gas sector in Ukraine and it will contribute to adequate gas supplies for the next three years,” said Jim Yong Kim. “The World Bank Group is committed to continue supporting Ukraine’s ambitious reform program and we are pleased to work jointly with the EIB.”

The new agreement is part of the support for Ukraine by the European Union and international financial institutions, under which the EIB guarantees World Bank investment development projects in Ukraine. The EIB guarantee is structured under the 2014-2020 External Lending Mandate and benefits from the EU comprehensive guarantee.