Is it true that the National Bank of Ukraine has opened its fundraiser to help the army? – Freedom

Immediately after the start of the Russian army attacks, the central bank of Ukraine decided to open a special account with which donors, Ukrainians and foreigners, can transfer funds, which are then transferred for the benefit of Ukrainian forces.

Question asked by Claire on February 27, 2022.

Hello,

Face au Drama taking place in Ukraine, where citizens live under threat of Russian invasion from the aggression launched by Vladimir Putin Wednesday night to Thursday, and when 198 civilians have already been killed by Russian army bullets and bombs, many Internet users are amazed. how to come to the aid of this state in Eastern Europe. In this context, you ask us whether it is right for the National Bank of Ukraine to raise funds to support the armed forces of Ukraine. Your lack of confidence is explained by the proliferation of scams, which use social networks in particular to solicit donations.

The National Bank of Ukraine (or NBU) has been the central bank of Ukraine since 1996. Its main mission, together with any central bank, is to guarantee the stability of the national currency, the hryvnia. On Thursday morning, just hours after the start of the Russian attack, NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko lifted the floor and announced the opening of a special account to raise money to support the Ukrainian army. An unprecedented decision taken in the face of growing threats “independence of the Ukrainian state” and “its territorial integrity”the central bank writes in a press release released the same day.

The initiative was also repeated on the official website of Ukraine, maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Ukraine (a state agency responsible for the promotion of language and culture). also mentioned, in alt published on Thursday the possibility for donors to transfer funds to the Treasury Directorate of Ukraine or to the Export-Import Bank of Ukraine, indicating that they would be used for the “Logistical and medical support” Forces of Ukraine. The article has since been deleted and the National Bank of Ukraine appears to be the only official institution authorized to collect donations.

Equipment, food and medicine

“The account is multi-currency, opened to transfer funds from international partners and donors – in foreign currencies (US dollar, euro, pound sterling, Swiss franc, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, RMB yuan and yen) -, as well as Ukrainian businesses and citizens – in the national currency », it is specified on the site of the NBU. If, until this Sunday, donors could only disburse funds from their bank account, the central bank wanted simplify the procedure in order to collect more donations: so, it is now possible“To assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces simply by transferring using a payment card from any bank in any country in the world”.

Why exactly should the amounts collected be used? The NBU, still on its website, explains that “The funds will be used to ensure Ukraine’s defense capabilities” and therefore funding is possible “weapons, equipment, food, medicine and other essentials” for Ukrainian soldiers.

13.6 million euros paid

After one day, almost 300 million hryvnia, or just over 9 million euros, was paid into the special account opened by the National Bank of Ukraine, according to the count that the second would be published on Friday at noon. “The funds came from Ukrainian companies and citizens, as well as the international community (including the EU, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, etc.).”she declares.

This Sunday, the amount transferred for the benefit of Ukrainian National Guard soldiers increased slightly, by arrangement According to the NBU to 450 million UAH – almost 13.6 million. In speech Last Sunday, central bank governor Kyrylo Chevtchenko also emphasized that. “Funds continue to flow actively”.

In addition to the donations thus made through the collection launched by the central bank of Ukraine, international solidarity continues to be exercised through the aid paid directly to Ukraine by the States that support it in this war. From Thursday, the ads have multiplied. At European level, the European Union on Thursday pledged the release of 1.2 billion euro economic assistance, to which France will contribute 300 million euros. On the French side, the defense council met on Saturday at the Elysée around Emmanuel Macron to decide on further measures. At the end the presidency announced that “delivery of additional protective equipment to the Ukrainian authorities as well as fuel support” who were activists.