By Richard Porter

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is moving ahead with its plans to exclude the Russian Federation and Belarus from receiving funding for projects. The EBRD Board of Governors have approved taking firm action against the Russian Federation and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine.

Access by the Russian Federation and Belarus to the resources of the Bank is to be formally suspended with immediate effect. This means that there can be no new financing of projects or technical cooperation activities in either country. Furthermore, the Bank avails itself of all rights to suspend or cancel further disbursements of funding on existing projects.

The EBRD has announced already that it is in the process of closing its Resident Offices in both Moscow and Minsk.

The EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, said: “It is sad that we have come to this point after so many years of cooperation and activity in both countries. However, the Russian-led war on Ukraine has left us no choice but to show our condemnation with more than just words. Actions are required, too, so that the two countries are in no doubt that we believe they have undermined the values which are important to us as an institution and to the international community.”

The EBRD is now focusing on delivering a €2 billion(US$2.2billion) Resilience and Livelihoods Support Package for Ukraine and for other countries in the region directly impacted by the refugee crisis. The measures are designed to help companies and communities. Funding is being made available rapidly to enable Ukrainian firms to receive liquidity support, deferral of loans and trade finance. Where possible, businesses will be helped to relocate so that their operations can continue. Once conditions allow, the Bank has also pledged to take part in a reconstruction programme for Ukraine.

The EBRD is also ready to support all its countries of operations to deal with the consequences of the war and its economic impact.