Ukraine inks 200 million Euro loan deal with Italy to pay teachers' salaries

In midst of ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv has recently inked a loan deal with Italian government which has been signed by Serhiy Marchenko, minister of finance for Ukraine. Italy has been offering Ukraine a preferential 200 million Euro interest-free loan, with money going to state budget to pay salaries of general secondary education institutions’ teachers. According to Ministry of Finance, 15-year loan will be used to pay for Ukrainian teachers' ws from state budget and would have interest for first seven and a half years.  

Taking to Facebook, Ukrainian Finance Ministry's press service cited statement of Marchenko, saying, “ Italian government was one of first to support Ukraine after start of all-out invasion.” finance minister ded, “And today I am gl to sign a new loan agreement that will help Ukrainian government to maintain financial stability and continue to ensure priority social expenditures". 

Previously, in July, centre-right coalition in Italy declared that if it wins upcoming, early parliamentary elections on September 25, Rome will keep supplying Kyiv with armaments. Giorgia Meloni, leer of right-wing opposition group "Brors of Italy," reportedly me claim during an interview with Rai 1 TV, according to K.AT News. Her remarks follow Mario Draghi's resignation as prime minister on Thursday, July 21. 

According to media reports, ditionally, Meloni asserted that conflict in Ukraine is only "tip of iceberg" in a far wider conflict aimed at upending global order. 

Italy delivered a four-point peace proposal to end war in Ukraine

Apart from this, Italy also delivered a four-point peace proposal to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier in May to end current conflict in Ukraine. As per first point, peace plan allegedly asks for a halt to hostilities and demilitarisation of front lines. fact that Ukraine would be a neutral state is second point to take into account. bilateral accord between Russia and Ukraine to determine future of Crimea and Donbas area is discussed in third point. fourth proposal asks for a multilateral peace deal between European Union (EU) and Russia, which would require both grual withdrawal of Russian military from Ukraine and removal of Western sanctions on Russia. 

Meanwhile, in month of June, to put Russian President Vlimir Putin under pressure to open Ukrainian ports, enable safe pass for grain, and reach a peace agreement in Ukraine, Italian leer Mario Draghi pressed for more penalties against Russian Federation. At conclusion of G7 meeting, Draghi stated in Elmau, "This G7 was truly a success, our countries reaffirmed full and great cohesion, great unity of views in particular regarding war in Ukraine and its consequences," as per media reports. 

(Im: AP)